The Lincoln University community is grieving after violence erupted on Saturday night as the school was celebrating homecoming festivities. One person died when shots were fired at the celebration while six others sustained injuries. According to NBC News, Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe said one suspect was taken into custody after the shooting, but investigators are still working to determine additional details.
What happened when Lincoln University was celebrating homecoming?
Shots were fired around 9:30 p.m. as people were leaving the homecoming football game and heading to the school’s International Cultural Center to continue the celebration. Marc Partee, Lincoln University chief of police, said the shots disrupted the “tailgate” portion of the festive evening.
“It appears there has been a mass shooting there tonight,” Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe said in a statement as he called on the community to join him in prayer, per NBC News.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also released a statement, saying he’s offering “full support” to the university and its community.
“Please avoid the area, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement, and join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community,” Shapiro wrote on X.
I’ve been briefed on the shooting at Lincoln University tonight, and my Administration has offered our full support to President Allen and local law enforcement.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) October 26, 2025
Please avoid the area, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement, and join Lori and me in praying for…
What did witnesses say about the shooting at Lincoln University?
According to NBC Philadelphia, witnesses said people started running for cover as shots were fired on the Oxford, Pennsylvania, campus in Chester County.
Two women who attended Saturday’s homecoming said they didn’t hear shots, but they started running when they saw others scrambling.
“It was just a stampede of people,” witness Ajia Hopkins told NBC News. “There was no explanation after the running.”
Lincoln alumna Dahjai Roger said three of her friends fell while running, but they are safe.
In a statement on Instagram, Lincoln University said counselors are available to help students recover from the traumatic situation.
The shooting at Lincoln University comes after a similar tragedy unfolded at another HBCU, Howard University. As Blavity previously reported, five people sustained injuries after shots were fired at Howard University’s homecoming celebration on Friday.