PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One person is dead and six others were injured after gunfire erupted Saturday night during Homecoming festivities at Lincoln University in Chester County, one of the oldest Historically Black universities in the country.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said 20-year-old Jujuan Jeffers of Wilmington, Delaware, died just after midnight from a gunshot wound to the head.
Six others, ages 20 to 25, were also shot and are expected to survive. Of those six, one is a current student, one is an alum, and the other four have no direct ties to the university, de Barrena-Sarobe said.
Authorities have one person in custody, Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, who is charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a license. However, it is unclear if the gun was used during the shooting at this time. Investigators said they are operating under the strong belief that there were multiple shooters.
“We don’t have a lot of answers about exactly what happened," he said. “What I will tell you is that 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.”
Authorities say the shooting took place at around 9:30 p.m. outside a large building called the International Cultural Center, where tents and tables were set up for tailgating and socializing after a football game earlier in the day.
“It was a chaotic scene, and people fled in every direction," the district attorney said. He urged anyone with video from the scene or other information that could help the investigation to contact the FBI.
Authorities weren’t sharing details about the victims, including their conditions or where the injured were being treated.
The campus is about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Chester County detectives are leading the investigation, with support from state police and the FBI. Classes were suspended on Monday for "healing and reflection." Faculty and staff will be on-site to provide support to students who may need it. Counseling services are available throughout the week.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on X that he was briefed on the shooting and offered the support of his administration and family.
“Join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community,” he said.
Students and community members are still in shock.
“I was sitting in the grass and I heard it. Just like shooting and everybody screaming,” said 21-year-old Joseph, a senior at Lincoln University.
He said he was talking to friends when his world suddenly turned upside down as gunshots rang out during what should have been a celebration.
"I don’t know why people have to shoot at a school. I feel like it shouldn’t have ever happened," said Joseph. "My heart is a little heavy right now. But I’m blessed to still be here at the end of the day."
Crystal Grimes and DJ Ray were on campus with their daughter, Paris, who was at homecoming. They say they’re grateful she is okay.
“But we thank god for those who are okay and pray for the ones who got hurt and the ones who lost their family member…so is life, we have to keep moving on,” Ray said.
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee said the shooting devastated the school's community on what was supposed to be a joyous day focused on the school’s legacy.
“If there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful, I would use it,” he said, “but ‘devastated’ is a start.”
On Monday, students and faculty gathered for a private vigil at a small cemetery in the center of Lincoln University’s campus.
Anyone with information on the shooting, or who has video from it, is asked to contact police.