Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has reacted after a mass shooting occurred during a homecoming event at Lincoln University, a historically Black school, on Saturday night.
“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,” he wrote on X, referring to the institution’s leader Brenda Allen.
Why It Matters
Lincoln University is recognized as the first college-degree-granting historically black university (HBCU) in the country. There are approximately 2,000 students, the majority of whom are African Americans.
The shooting comes a day after a shooting occurred near the campus of Howard University, also a historically Black university, located in Washington, D.C.
What To Know
Students and alumni were celebrating homecoming with outdoor festivities, when gunfire erupted, killing one person and wounded six others, according to local authorities.
One individual who had a firearm was detained. During a brief news conference early on Sunday, the Chester County District Attorney, Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe, said that officials are investigating the possibility that there was more than one shooter, but that they do not believe there is an active threat to the campus.
The Democratic state governor advised people to avoid the area and asked his followers to join him and Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro in “praying for the Lincoln University community.”
Barrena-Sarobe said that they don’t have a lot of answers about what happened, but described the scene as “chaotic,” and said, “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.”
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee said, “We set this out to be a time to celebrate the legacy of Lincoln University.”
“Devastated, if there was another word to describe that’s more impactful, I’d use it. But devastated is a start,” Partee said.
What People Are Saying
Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, 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. 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.”
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee, in remarks shared while speaking to press: “This was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Homecoming. When individuals come back, and they give back to their alma matter. And they live the good memories of their times at Lincoln University, which has helped them propel into life. And this was interrupted by gunfire. That should not have occurred. And, we are concerned for our students who had to experience this. Our alumni who had to experience this, and our visitors and friends.”
What’s Next
Authorities have not any shared details about the victims.
Lincoln University shared in a post on social media that they will be offering counseling services to students and staff in need of support.
This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.
Correction, 10/26/2025, 9:08 a.m. ET: An earlier version of this article included a photo of Lincoln University of Missouri.
