Crime
Lincoln University Shooting Suspect Identified as 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson
CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. — What began as a joyous Homecoming weekend at Lincoln University — one of the nation’s first Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — ended in tragedy when gunfire erupted in a campus parking lot Saturday evening, leaving one person dead and at least six others injured.
Authorities confirmed the fatal shooting occurred outside the International Cultural Center, where a tailgate celebration was taking place following the university’s Homecoming football game.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with tents and tables scattered throughout the lot as attendees fled to safety.
During a Sunday afternoon press briefing, officials identified one of the suspects as 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, who has been taken into custody and is being held at the Chester County Prison on $25,000 bail.
He faces charges of carrying a firearm without a license, according to court documents.
The deceased victim, a 25-year-old Jujuan Jeffers from Wilmington, Delaware, reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
His name has not yet been released pending family notification.
Six additional victims, all between the ages of 20 and 25, sustained injuries in the shooting and are expected to survive, officials said.
Investigators do not believe the suspects arrived at the Homecoming event intending to carry out a mass shooting.
Chester County District Attorney officials, along with Lincoln University Police and the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police, are assisting in the ongoing investigation. Detectives are processing the large crime scene, collecting ballistic evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses to determine what led to the violence.
In a statement released Sunday, Lincoln University President announced that classes will be canceled on Monday, October 27, designating the day as one of “healing and reflection.”
University Police Chief Marc Partee spoke emotionally about the tragedy, saying,
“We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University, the first Historically Black HBCU. Devastated — if there was another word to describe that, one more impactful, I would use it. But devastated is a start.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage related to the shooting to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI as the investigation continues.
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.