Crime
1 Killed, 6 Injured After Shooting at Lincoln University During Homecoming Tailgate Celebration
UPDATE: Officials have identified the deceased victim as 25-year-old Jujuan Jeffers of Wilmington, Delaware, who suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Authorities confirmed that all six surviving victims—aged between 20 and 25 years old—are expected to recover.
In a Sunday afternoon update, officials named 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson as one of the suspects involved in the shooting. He is currently being held at the Chester County Prison on $25,000 bail, charged with carrying a firearm without a license, according to court documents.
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — A night of homecoming celebration turned tragic at Pennsylvania’s historic Lincoln University on Saturday, when gunfire erupted during a campus event, leaving one person dead and six others wounded.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. during a homecoming “tailgate celebration” near the university’s football stadium on the Chester County campus, located approximately 50 miles west of Philadelphia, according to law enforcement officials.
“This is a devastating night in southern Chester County at Lincoln University,” District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said during a Sunday morning press conference. “It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.”
Authorities confirmed that one person was killed and six others suffered gunshot wounds. Several additional attendees were injured while fleeing the scene, though officials did not specify how many.
The deceased victim’s identity has not been released pending notification of family members.
Police detained one individual found in possession of a firearm near the scene. However, as of Sunday morning, no formal charges had been announced.
Investigators said preliminary evidence indicates multiple gunmen may have been involved.
“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 stated. “There is viable evidence of multiple shooters in the parking lot area between the football stadium and the International Cultural Center, where the Lincoln University Police Department is housed.”
Officials emphasized that the attack does not appear to have been premeditated, but rather stemmed from a confrontation that escalated during the large outdoor gathering.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, and Lincoln University Police Department are jointly leading the investigation.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, photos, or videos from the event to come forward to assist investigators.
Founded in 1854 as The Ashmun Institute, Lincoln University is recognized as the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
The school counts among its distinguished alumni U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Baseball Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, and Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa.
At a press briefing, Lincoln University Chief of Police Marc Partee expressed heartbreak over the tragedy.
“This was meant to be a joyous occasion — a time when alumni return to celebrate, reconnect, and give back to their alma mater,” Partee said. “Instead, that joy was interrupted by senseless gunfire. We are deeply concerned for our students, alumni, and guests who had to endure this traumatic experience.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro addressed the incident on social media, saying, “I’ve been briefed on the shooting at Lincoln University tonight, and my Administration has offered our full support to President [Brenda] Allen and local law enforcement. Please avoid the area, follow police guidance, and join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community.”
The university was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. The order was lifted after officials determined there was no active threat to campus safety.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Lincoln University announced that counseling and support services would be available to students and staff beginning Sunday morning. Earlier that day, the campus had hosted its annual homecoming football game between the Lincoln Lions and the Elizabeth City State Vikings, followed by festivities that drew alumni, students, and visitors from across the region.
“Please join me in praying for the students and faculty of Lincoln University, as well as the brave members of law enforcement on the scene,” wrote Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe on Facebook. “It appears there has been a mass shooting there tonight.”
The investigation into the Lincoln University homecoming shooting remains active.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Chester County Detectives or Lincoln University Police immediately.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.