Crime
Rice Consolidated High School Student Josiah Cobia Killed in Accidental Shooting at Home in Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake, TX — An 18-year-old student at Rice Consolidated High School was tragically killed in an accidental shooting at his home Friday evening, April 11, according to the Eagle Lake Police Department.
The victim, identified as Josiah Cobia, was shot around 5 p.m. in a bedroom of the family’s residence located at 670 Donovan Street in Eagle Lake.
According to Police Chief Donald T. Chaney, the incident occurred when Cobia’s younger brother, whose name has not been released due to his age, accidentally discharged a firearm while showing it to his older brother.
The shot struck Cobia, who later succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Chaney emphasized that the incident appears to be a tragic accident, based on statements provided by family members who were present at the time. “It was an accident, and accidents happen,” Chaney said. “You have kids that get a hold of guns, and unfortunately, neither of them had any business with it. That’s something we’re going to look into.”
While no criminal charges are currently anticipated in connection to Cobia’s death, authorities have launched a separate investigation to determine how the firearm came into the boys’ possession.
Chief Chaney noted that the children’s mother was unaware a gun was in the home or accessible to her sons.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the gun discharged as a result of being dropped or due to another handling mishap.
Authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the firearm’s accessibility and the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal discharge.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available in the ongoing investigation.
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 man 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.