“Homecoming Turned to Mourning”: A Black Insider Report on the Lincoln University Shooting

OXFORD, Pa. — What was meant to be a weekend of reunion, music and Lion pride ended in grief and confusion late Saturday night when gunfire erupted during Lincoln University’s homecoming festivities. The Chester County district attorney and university officials now say one person was killed and six others were wounded after shots rang out near the International Cultural Center during an outdoor post-game tailgate.

Chaos at the ICC

According to law enforcement accounts, the shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. as students, alumni and families were gathered outside the International Cultural Center. Witnesses described a chaotic scene: people sprinting across lawns and parking areas, others helping the wounded, and emergency responders converging on the campus. One person who was found in possession of a firearm has been detained; investigators have not said whether charges will be filed. Authorities say it’s possible there were multiple shooters but that the attack does not currently appear to have been a planned mass attack.

Investigation and official response

Chester County detectives are leading the probe with assistance from Lincoln University Police, the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI, which officials asked to aid by collecting video and other evidence. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and university leaders issued statements expressing sorrow and solidarity; the university briefly went into lockdown before the campus was secured and classes were later suspended as counseling and support services were arranged. Investigators described the crime scene as “large and complex,” and officials urged anyone with photos or video of the event to come forward.

The human toll — and the unanswered questions

Beyond the raw numbers are the people who will carry the aftermath: students who fled for their lives, families awaiting word about loved ones, and a campus community shaken by a violence that interrupted a ritual meant to strengthen ties across generations. Authorities have not released the names of the deceased or the wounded; investigators have warned against speculation while evidence is collected and files are prepared. At this stage, the why and the how remain under active investigation.