The sense of safety at America’s oldest HBCU shattered in seconds, leaving one young life lost, six more forever changed, and a legacy campus desperate for answers.
Story Snapshot
- Gunfire erupted during Lincoln University’s homecoming, killing one and injuring six amid celebration.
- Authorities suspect multiple shooters; one man is in custody but the investigation is ongoing.
- The tragedy exposes deep anxieties about campus safety and the unique pressures on historically Black colleges.
- The Lincoln University community faces trauma, hard questions, and a test of resilience.
Gunfire at the Heart of Homecoming
Lincoln University’s 2025 homecoming was supposed to be a jubilant return to tradition—a weekend when students, alumni, and families gathered to celebrate the nation’s first degree-granting HBCU. Instead, a parking lot tailgate outside the International Cultural Center turned chaotic just after 9 p.m. on October 25. Police say multiple shooters opened fire. Jujuan Jeffers, 25, from Wilmington, Delaware, was killed. Six others, all young adults, were wounded but are expected to survive. The violence descended so quickly that tents and tables—moments before loaded with food and music—became cover from bullets. The university’s celebration was instantly transformed into a crime scene: sirens, lockdowns, and fear replacing festivities.
Within minutes, campus police and local law enforcement scrambled to secure the area and provide aid. A suspect, Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, 21, was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license. Authorities believe he was not acting alone. As the investigation continues, police are combing through ballistics evidence and video footage, urging attendees to come forward. The swift response and arrest provided some reassurance, but the community remains anxious, with the specter of unsolved questions lingering over the campus.
Legacy, Trauma, and the HBCU Experience
Lincoln University, founded in 1854, stands as a symbol of Black achievement and resilience. For generations, its homecoming has been a unifier—an annual ritual with deep meaning for students and alumni. The shooting disrupts more than an event; it rattles a legacy. Campus shootings at HBCUs are rare but deeply wounding due to their close-knit nature and the historical weight these institutions carry. Large gatherings like homecoming, while joyous, also amplify security risks, especially when outsiders mingle with students. This event highlights the delicate balance between openness and safety—a tension increasingly common at colleges nationwide.
Many HBCUs, located in rural or urban areas, must navigate limited resources for security compared to larger universities. The Lincoln University administration responded by canceling classes and offering counseling, but questions about long-term safety remain. The trauma reverberates beyond those directly affected, touching every member of the university family. As one observer noted, the emotional toll of violence at a place built to nurture and uplift cannot be overstated.
Leadership, Investigation, and the Search for Answers
The aftermath has tested both law enforcement and campus leadership. Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe and university police chief Marc Partee have coordinated with the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police. Their message: justice is coming, but it will take time. Investigators believe there was no premeditated mass shooting plot; instead, they suspect a confrontation escalated among attendees. Still, the presence of multiple shooters and the use of firearms at a major campus event raises urgent questions about security protocols and gun access.
University President Brenda A. Allen has expressed devastation and a commitment to healing. Support services have been mobilized, with counseling and mental health support for students and staff. State officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro, have pledged resources and solidarity. Yet, the university’s reputation and sense of security remain shaken. The process of restoring trust and normalcy will not be quick or easy. This tragedy has thrust Lincoln University, and by extension all HBCUs, into the national conversation about guns, campus safety, and the enduring impact of violence on Black communities.
