Lincoln University Shooting Suspect Identified as 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson
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 Jujuan Jeffers 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.
