PASCAGOULA, Miss. — Authorities have identified the man killed in Friday morning’s workplace shooting at Ingalls Shipbuilding as Tahj Johnson, known by loved ones and friends as “GBaby.” The tragic incident unfolded around 7:30 a.m. aboard a ship that was under construction at the massive Pascagoula shipyard.
According to the Pascagoula Police Department, officers rushed to the shipyard after receiving reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they discovered Johnson suffering from fatal gunshot wounds. Despite immediate emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, 25-year-old Curtis James Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, was quickly taken into custody by police without further incident. Authorities confirmed that both Johnson and James were employees of Ingalls Shipbuilding, though the exact circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation.
Police Chief Terry Scott addressed the press later in the day, emphasizing that while the suspect was apprehended swiftly, the event has left the community shaken. “This is a devastating loss, not just for the victim’s family and coworkers, but for our entire Pascagoula community,” Scott said. “Our detectives are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to understand what led to this act of violence.”
Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of HII (Huntington Ingalls Industries), is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and has been a cornerstone of Pascagoula’s economy for decades. The shipyard is the primary supplier of surface combat vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and has employed generations of Gulf Coast residents.
The news of Johnson’s death spread quickly across Pascagoula and neighboring Mobile, where friends and coworkers remembered him as a young man full of life and ambition. On social media, tributes poured in for “GBaby,” with many describing him as hardworking, dedicated, and a joy to be around both on and off the job.
In response to the shooting, Ingalls Shipbuilding released a statement: “We are heartbroken over the loss of one of our team members. The safety and security of our employees remain our highest priority. We are fully cooperating with local authorities as they conduct their investigation.”
The shipyard was placed on lockdown immediately following the shooting as law enforcement secured the site and ensured no further threats remained. Operations gradually resumed later in the day, but grief and unease lingered over the sprawling facility.
Pascagoula, the county seat of Jackson County, is home to about 22,000 people and has long been intertwined with the success of the Ingalls shipyard. For many residents, the tragedy highlights the close-knit nature of the community, where nearly everyone is connected in some way to the shipyard or its workforce.
As investigators continue to piece together the motive behind the violence, Johnson’s family and friends are left to mourn the sudden and devastating loss of a life cut far too short.
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