schools
Family seeks answers after witnesses say high school student died from ‘drinking too much’ on graduation trip
By Raven Little, Akim Powell at KGNS — Sitewide
· July 1, 2026
· 2 min read
COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.On May 15, Shannon Tanner graduated from Columbia Academy. His family says he was known to light up a room and talk to anyone who woul...
Key takeaway (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.
Why this matters in Laredo News
In Laredo , the tragic death of a Mississippi high school graduate serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of underage drinking, a concern that resonates deeply in our own community. As local families and schools navigate the challenges of promoting responsible behavior among young people, the incident underscores the need for vigilant supervision and education. The fact that adults were chaperoning the trip to Florida yet the student still managed to access alcohol raises questions about the effectiveness of current safeguards. In Laredo, where many students often celebrate milestones with trips and gatherings, the community must come together to ensure that similar tragedies are prevented. The establishment of a nonprofit like Families Against Underage Drinking could be a valuable resource for local families and schools, providing a platform for education and support. By learning from this devastating incident, Laredo can strengthen its own efforts to protect its young people from the risks associated with underage drinking.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: July 1, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM/Gray News) - A family in Mississippi is seeking answers after a 19-year-old died on a trip to Florida days after graduating from high school.On May 15, Shannon Tanner graduated from Columbia Academy. His family says he was known to light up a room and talk to anyone who woul...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 1, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Raven Little, Akim Powell at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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