A man is dead and six others were injured in a shooting during a homecoming celebration at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania Saturday night, the Chester County district attorney said.
District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said one person who had a gun has since been detained.
Jujuan Jeffers, 20, of Wilmington, Delaware, died in the shooting, de Barrena-Sarobe said during a press conference Sunday.
One current Lincoln student is among the wounded, as well as one graduate of the school. The other people injured are not directly connected to the university, the DA said. All of the victims are 20 to 25 years old and are expected to survive.
The shooting happened in the parking lot of the International Cultural Center (ICC) building just before 9:30 p.m., where a post-football game celebratory tailgate and Yardfest event was being held, Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee said during a press conference early Sunday morning.
“This was to be a joyous occasion,” Partee said. “Homecoming — when individuals come back, and they give back to their alma mater, and they live the good memories of their time at Lincoln University, which has helped them propel into life. This was interrupted by gunfire that should not have occurred.”
At this time, it’s still unclear what led up to the shooting and why shots were fired. The school was placed on lockdown, but that was later lifted.
“Today, we’re operating as if this is not an incident where someone came in with the design to inflict mass damage on a college campus,” de Barrena-Sarobe said during the news conference.
Investigators believe there were multiple shooters, but there is no clear threat to the campus at this time, de Barrena-Sarobe said.
In a statement posted Sunday afternoon on social media, Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen’s office said the school is cooperating with authorities.
“As this remains an ongoing investigation, details may evolve over the next several days,” the post says. “We will continue to keep the Lincoln University community informed of any major updates as they become available.”
Classes are canceled Monday “for a day of healing and reflection,” but the school will remain open with staff on campus to support students, the statement says. The president’s office also invited the campus community to gather at noon on Monday in the Historic District for a moment of connection and healing.
Counseling services will be available all week for students, faculty and staff, the post says.
Lincoln University is on Baltimore Pike in southern Chester County, about 45 miles from Philadelphia.
1 arrested in connection with Lincoln University shooting
Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, of Wilmington, Delaware, was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm without a license and is being held at Chester County Prison on $25,000 cash bail, de Barrena-Sarobe said, adding that he could not confirm whether the gun he had was used in the shooting.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the scene remained active, de Barrena-Sarobe said, and investigators are conducting a grid search of the area and working with K9s to gather evidence. They are also interviewing people and reviewing video evidence, he said.
“Stitching together videos is going to be a key part of this investigation,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.
“Devastating” night in southern Chester County, DA says
Law enforcement described a chaotic scene where people fled in every direction after shots were fired. People were seen running for cover, and several others were being treated after they were knocked to the ground and trampled, officials said.
CBS News Philadelphia spoke to a witness who said he saw one person receiving CPR.
Tents were set up in the ICC parking lot for the tailgating event, designed for people to come together, reconnect and celebrate Lincoln University. De Barrena-Sarobe said the ICC is also where the Lincoln University Police Department is housed.
“This mass shooting should never have happened,” the district attorney said.
“We are concerned for our students who had to experience this, our alumni who had to experience this, and our visitors and friends,” Partee said. “We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University, the first historically Black, HBCU in the country. So, devastated, if there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful, I would use it, but devastated is a start.”
The Chester County DA said officials are continuing to monitor all the victims and are investigating the shooting with the full power of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Following the shooting, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on X, “I’ve been briefed on the shooting at Lincoln University tonight, and my Administration has offered our full support to President Allen and local law enforcement. Please avoid the area, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement, and join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community.”
Lincoln community processes a tragedy
People who were on campus said the tragedy has been difficult to process.
“The last thing you think about is something as tragic as this occurring when you’re just here for a good time and having fun,” Joslyn Royster, who graduated from Lincoln in 2015, said.
When the shooting happened, a nearby bowling alley went into lockdown and soon became a staging area for first responders. Workers said they stayed until 2 a.m. to offer coffee, food and a place to warm up.
“It was hard to sleep that night. I always see it in the movies or on screen, but seeing it happen right in front of my eyes definitely puts a whole different perspective on things,” Rocco Saienni, a shift supervisor at Timber Wolfe Lanes, said.
A plea for tips
De Barrena-Sarobe urged anyone with any information about the shooting to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or share it online. Digital evidence will be key in this investigation so law enforcement can hold the shooter or shooters accountable, officials said.
“Because we are going to not stop until we are able to arrest and to find the person or people that shot all of these people at Lincoln University,” he said.
The Chester County detectives are leading the investigation. The FBI is assisting.
