On the night of October 25, 2025, what should have been a jubilant homecoming celebration at Lincoln University in southeastern Pennsylvania was shattered by gunfire. As students, alumni, and families gathered outside the university’s International Cultural Center—still buzzing from the day’s football game—shots rang out, sending crowds fleeing in panic. By the time calm returned, one person was dead and six others wounded, according to authorities and multiple news outlets including ABC News, AP, and CNN.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe addressed the media early Sunday, painting a picture of chaos and heartbreak. “This is a devastating night,” he said. “It was a chaotic scene and people fled in every direction.” The shooting, which erupted around 9:30 p.m., interrupted the tailgating and socializing that marked the end of a festive day at the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Law enforcement officials quickly detained one individual found in possession of a firearm, but the investigation remains far from over. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that there was more than one shooter. “We don’t have a lot of answers about exactly what happened,” Barrena-Sarobe told reporters, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation and urging anyone with video footage or information to contact the FBI. “What I will tell you is that today 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.”
Despite the uncertainty, officials are clear on one point: they do not believe the shooting was a planned mass attack. The Chester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that seven people were struck by gunfire. While details about the victims’ identities and conditions remain scarce, authorities noted that some of the wounded were transported to hospitals in nearby Delaware, and others were treated at the scene for injuries sustained in the ensuing stampede as people sought safety.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and terror. Ajia Hopkins, who was present during the festivities, captured the mood succinctly: “It’s just so sad. It’s traumatic, a little bit. We heard people got shot, got killed. You come out here to have a good time and you never expect for this to happen. It’s very traumatic,” she said, as quoted by ABC News. Another attendee told WPVI, a CNN affiliate, “It was a great time until we heard a couple of shots go off,” describing how the massive crowd instantly scattered in every direction. Some didn’t even realize what was happening until the chaos was well underway, with loud music masking the initial gunshots.
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee struggled to articulate the collective grief. “Devastated. If there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful, I would use it. But devastated is a start,” Partee said, according to AP and CNN. He lamented that what was meant to be a joyous reunion for alumni and a celebration of the university’s legacy had instead become a day marked by tragedy. “Homecoming – when individuals come back, and they give back to their alma mater, and they live the good memories of their time at Lincoln University … This was interrupted by gunfire that should not have occurred,” he added.
The shooting at Lincoln is not an isolated incident this season. As CNN noted, it is part of a disturbing trend of violence at homecoming events and football games across the country. Just the night before, five people were injured in a shooting near Howard University in Washington, D.C., another HBCU. In Alabama, two people were killed and a dozen wounded following homecoming games, and several shootings linked to high school football games in Mississippi have left at least six dead this month. The Gun Violence Archive reports at least 353 mass shootings in the United States so far this year, with more than 300 people killed and 1,600 injured.
Back in Pennsylvania, the response to the Lincoln University shooting has been swift and multi-layered. Chester County detectives are leading the investigation, with support from state police and the FBI. The campus, located about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, was not placed under lockdown, but the scene of the shooting remains an active crime scene as authorities collect evidence and interview witnesses.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was briefed on the situation and took to social media to express his support. “Join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community,” he posted, pledging the full backing of his administration and family. “We are investigating with the full power of federal, state and local law enforcement,” District Attorney Barrena-Sarobe emphasized, underscoring the seriousness with which officials are treating the case.
In the wake of tragedy, Lincoln University has prioritized the wellbeing of its students, staff, and alumni. Counseling services were made available the following morning, October 26, for anyone in need of support. The university’s statement reminded the community of its resilience and the importance of coming together during difficult times. “We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University, the first HBCU in the country,” said Marc Partee, echoing the sentiment of many who had looked forward to the weekend’s festivities. Instead, they were left to grapple with shock, sorrow, and a sense of lost innocence.
As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered. Who was responsible for the shooting? Was there more than one gunman? What led to the violence that upended a cherished tradition? Law enforcement has called on anyone with information—especially those with video from the scene—to come forward. For now, the Lincoln University community and its supporters across the country are left to mourn, reflect, and hope for answers.
The events at Lincoln University serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of safety at public gatherings, even on campuses with proud histories and close-knit communities. As the university and law enforcement work to heal wounds and seek justice, the echoes of that chaotic night will linger long after the homecoming banners have come down.
