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
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.