One dead, six injured in shooting at Lincoln University homecoming event

At least one person was killed and six others were injured Saturday night during a shooting at a homecoming weekend event at Lincoln University in Chester County, authorities said.

Gunfire erupted just before 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the university’s International Cultural Center, where students and alumni had gathered for the historically Black university’s annual homecoming festivities.

Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe said one armed person was taken into custody, though investigators have not confirmed whether that individual is considered a suspect. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.

“It was a chaotic scene and people were running everywhere,” de Barrena-Sarobe said during a 1 a.m. press conference. “We can confirm one fatality and multiple injuries, but details are still emerging.”
Investigators have identified the victims but have not yet released their names or said whether any were students. The FBI, Pennsylvania State Police and Lincoln University Police Department are assisting in the investigation.

De Barrena-Sarobe said authorities are “collecting ballistic evidence” and emphasized that investigators are not treating the shooting as a planned mass attack.

“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,” he said.
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee described the gathering as a tailgate-style celebration meant for reconnecting with alumni and friends following the afternoon’s homecoming football game against Elizabeth City State University.

“This was to be a joyous occasion — homecoming, when individuals come back, give back to their alma mater, and relive good memories,” Partee said. “This was interrupted by gunfire that should not have occurred. We are concerned for our students, our alumni, and our visitors who had to experience this.”
By Sunday morning, ribbons of yellow police tape still marked off the parking lot where the shooting occurred. Campus access was restricted, with only students and their parents allowed through security checkpoints.

Students described a shaken and somber atmosphere on campus.

Sani Freeman, 20, who was visiting friends and her sister, a student at Lincoln, said the campus felt “eerily quiet” in the aftermath.

“We heard it, but we didn’t know what was going on,” said senior Jiles Ebai, who had left the parking lot minutes before the gunfire began. “Then we saw people running.”
Authorities said additional information will be released as the investigation continues Sunday.