Campus Alert Archive
GSU

Double Homicide in Dorm Courtyard During Homecoming Week as Freshman Opens Fire After Altercation

LAshootingemergency notificationmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

On October 25, 2017, at approximately 12:04 AM CDT, a fight that began in a dorm room spilled into a residential courtyard at Grambling State University, where 19-year-old freshman Jaylin Wayne opened fire, killing senior Earl Andrews and his friend Monquiarious Caldwell. The shooting occurred during homecoming week. Wayne, a freshman from St. Louis, turned himself in the following day and was initially charged with first-degree murder; in October 2021 a jury convicted him of two counts of second-degree murder, and he was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole.

Alerts
2
Response
116 min
Killed
2
Injured
0
Institution
Grambling State University
Hbcu · LA
~5,200 studentsGSAFE
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction155 chars
Grambling State University ALERT: A shooting has occurred on campus. All students remain in your dorm rooms. Do not go outside. More information to follow.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

The campus text alert was sent approximately two hours after the midnight shooting, drawing criticism from parents
Students were instructed to remain in their dorm rooms overnight while police investigated
UPDATETwitter/X
Verified verbatimNewsOne and KTBS reporting quoted this verbatim from the controversial 6:47 AM social-media post that omitted any reference to the double homicide; post was later deleted128 chars
Grambling State University offices are open with normal business hours and students are expected to attend classes as scheduled.
This alert at 6:47 AM CDT on October 25, 2017 upset many parents because it did not mention the double homicide that had occurred hours earlier
The message was posted on social media channels and sent via text, giving the impression of normalcy despite two deaths
Context

Background

During homecoming week at Grambling State University on October 25, 2017, an altercation that began inside a dorm room around midnight spilled into a residential courtyard between two dormitories. Freshman Jaylin Wayne, 19, of St. Louis, opened fire, killing Grambling senior Earl Andrews and his friend Monquiarious Caldwell, both 23 and from Farmerville, Louisiana. Detectives received 911 calls starting at 12:04 AM CDT. A female student who called the Grambling State police chief on his cell phone was among the first to alert authorities. The campus text alert system did not notify students until approximately two hours after the shooting, drawing sharp criticism from parents and outside observers. A second alert sent at 6:47 AM CDT stated that 'offices are open with normal business hours' without mentioning the double homicide, further angering families. The Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed that the suspect and victims knew each other and the shooting was not random. Wayne turned himself in the following day and was initially charged with first-degree murder; on October 30, 2021, a jury convicted him of two counts of second-degree murder, and he was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. The shooting renewed concerns about Grambling's pattern of campus violence, which the Louisiana Illuminator documented as at least one shooting per year for five consecutive years.
Analysis

Key Findings

The campus text alert was delayed approximately two hours after the midnight shooting, and the second alert failed to mention the homicides at all
The shooting occurred during homecoming week, when campuses see a spike in visitors and access control is more difficult
Grambling State experienced at least one shooting per year for five consecutive years, raising systemic campus safety concerns
The case was solved within 48 hours, with the suspect and victims known to each other; Wayne was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in October 2021 and is serving back-to-back life sentences at Angola
Outcome
Earl Andrews, 23 (a Grambling senior), and Monquiarious Caldwell, 23, both of Farmerville, Louisiana, were killed. Freshman Jaylin Wayne, 19, of St. Louis, turned himself in to law enforcement on Thursday, October 26, and was initially charged with first-degree murder. He was ultimately convicted on October 30, 2021, of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Grambling State freshman arrested in campus shooting that left two dead (Washington Post)
    washingtonpost.com
  2. News
    Student Charged in Double-Killing at Louisiana's Grambling State University (NBC News)
    nbcnews.com
  3. News
    Grambling State University shooting in Louisiana leaves 2 dead after altercation (CBS News)
    cbsnews.com
  4. News
    Grambling Shooting Latest Update: Suspect, Campus Security Concerns (NewsOne)
    newsone.com
  5. News
    Grambling State University has had at least one shooting per year over the last five years (Louisiana Illuminator)
    lailluminator.com
Tags
shootinghbculouisianahomecomingdouble-homicidedelayed-alertfatal
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion