Shooting at a historically Black university’s homecoming fest in Pennsylvania kills 1 and wounds 6
-
Click here to listen to this article - Share via
- One person was killed and six wounded in a shooting during homecoming celebrations at Lincoln University, a historically Black university in Pennsylvania.
- Investigators believe multiple shooters were involved but don’t think the attack was planned as a mass casualty event.
- One person has been charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a license; the slaying victim was identified as Jujuan Jeffers, 25, of Delaware.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — Gunfire erupted during outdoor festivities at Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University late Saturday, killing one person and wounding six others as students and alumni celebrated homecoming at the historically Black school, authorities said.
Investigators were operating under a “strong belief” that there was more than one shooter but did not think they came to the campus “with a specific design to cause a mass casualty event,” Chester County Dist. Atty. Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said at a Sunday news conference.
So far one person has been jailed on charges of carrying a concealed firearm without a license, and authorities were investigating whether that weapon was used in the shooting, De Barrena-Sarobe said.
Authorities said the shooting took place around 9:30 p.m. outside the International Cultural Center, where tents and tables were set up for tailgating and socializing after a homecoming football game earlier in the day.
Jujuan Jeffers, 25, of Wilmington, Del., was shot in the head and died just after midnight, the district attorney said.
The other victims, who range in age from 20 to 25, were expected to survive, but the district attorney declined to provide individual updates on their conditions. He said they include a current student, a graduate and four people with no direct affiliation to the school.
De Barrena-Sarobe said authorities were conducting searches and declined to speculate on how many shots were fired until all bullet casings were recovered. He urged anyone with video from the scene or other information that could help the investigation to contact the FBI.
The campus is about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Chester County detectives are leading the investigation, with support from state police and the FBI.
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.
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. The school was to be closed Monday, with an event planned for students and the community.
“If there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful, I would use it,” he said, “but ‘devastated’ is a start.”
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
In our first episode, the L.A. Times columnist George Skelton sizes up the governors he’s known, what made them successful and whether the next one can measure up.
On screen, Errol Flynn played a series of daredevils, fortune hunters, and suave romantics. Off screen, he lived a life of outsize debauchery and recklessness, including a persistent interest in underage girls. In 1943, at the height of his fame, he faced trial in Los Angeles on charges of statutory rape.
How do you get more people to care about climate change — and tell riveting stories along the way? Boiling Point explored that question at a live event during this year’s New York City Climate Week at Columbia University’s Climate School.
