CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Homecoming celebrations at one of the nation’s first historically black colleges and universities turned to tragedy as gunfire broke out in a parking lot.
One person is dead, and at least six people are hurt following the Saturday evening shooting at Lincoln University, in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
In an update Sunday afternoon streamed by our CNN affiliate, officials identified one of the involved suspects as 21-year-old Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson.
Officials also said a 25-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware has been identified as the deceased victim. He reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
All six who were injured in the shooting are expected to survive and are in the same age range– between 20 and 25 years old.
Morgan-Thompson is currently being held in the Chester County Prison on a $25,000 bail, and has been charged with carrying a firearm without a license, according to court docs.
Officials said they believe the suspects did not come to the homecoming with the intent to commit a mass shooting.
The president of the university released a statement Sunday saying that they are continuing to investigate the events of the night and will be cancelling classes Monday, October 27 for a day of “healing and reflection.”
The Chester County District Attorney gave an update early Sunday morning.
READ MORE | Mass shooting reported at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania
Authorities have not released the names of any victims. The DA said they were in the process of speaking with victims to learn more about what happened during the shooting.
Lincoln University’s police chief said the shots were fired in the parking lot of the International Cultural Center on campus. He said at the time there was a tailgate ceremony taking place following the college’s homecoming football game. He said tents and other tables were set up throughout the lot.
“We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University, the first Historically Black HBCU,” said Chief Marc Partee when asked about how this is impacting him.
Devastated. If there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful I would use it but devastated is a start.
Chester County detectives are leading the investigation, however the DA said the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police are providing support.
He said crews still need to process the large crime scene, start looking at ballistics evidence, piece together video, and speak with victims so they can understand what the next steps should be.
Anyone with information or video is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
