During Homecoming weekend, one person lost their life and at least 11 others were injured due to shootings at and around two historically black universities on Friday and Saturday, as reported by officials.
This outbreak of violence echoes similar incidents at two HBCUs last fall, which also occurred during homecoming festivities, prompting concern from some observers about a potential emerging pattern.
Fatal shooting at Lincoln University
One individual was killed, and at least six others were injured in a Saturday night incident at Lincoln University, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, about an hour and 15 minutes west of Philadelphia. Local reports indicate that the shooting event was chaotic.
Law enforcement identified a suspect, 21-year-old Zechus Morgan Thompson, charging him with illegal possession of a firearm. He is currently detained in Chester County Jail with a bail set at $25,000, according to legal records.
Authorities stated that they do not think the suspects had any plans to commit a mass shooting during Homecoming festivities, according to local news.
The victim, a 25-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, was reportedly shot in the head. Meanwhile, the other injured individuals are within the 20 to 25 years age group and are expected to recover, local media reported.
Lincoln University’s president announced that classes would be canceled on the following Monday for a day of “healing and reflection.”
According to local police, the shooting occurred in a parking lot near the International Cultural Center on campus, where a tailgate gathering was happening after a football game.
Incident near Howard University
Five individuals were shot near Howard University in Washington, D.C., on Friday evening following a weekend at home. Reports mentioned that four adults and one teenager were injured but are expected to survive after being transported to a hospital.
Witnesses described a scene where many fled down the street toward a nearby McDonald’s shortly after the gunfire erupted.
The university reported a confrontation involving the two suspects preceded the shooting, confirming that none of the victims were Howard University students.
Furthermore, the university had planned activities for their Homecoming Kickoff reception that same Friday night, adding more tension to an already troubling atmosphere.
Growing concerns
A TikTok user highlighted the alarming frequency of these shootings by stating, “First Howard, now Lincoln, something is going on.” This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety among Black Americans regarding safety during these events.
The Root noted that many expressed fears about a pattern forming, recalling last year’s similar incidents at HBCUs. “This is becoming an annual event in many schools,” said one concerned user.
Last fall, shootings at two HBCUs left over a dozen people shot, with one fatality. For instance, there was a deadly shooting at Tuskegee University in Alabama that resulted in multiple injuries.
An editorial from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution opined that this concerning trend in gun violence is likely to shift the traditions centered around Homecoming at HBCUs, which have long been celebrated.
In recent years, multiple instances of violence during homecoming events at different universities reinforce this feeling of insecurity, leading students and alumni to question the safety of these cherished gatherings.
