Breaking! Chaos erupts at Lincoln University, at least 7 people shot during campus event

Authorities in Pennsylvania are investigating a violent shooting that left at least seven people injured during a late-night event at Lincoln University, one of the country’s oldest historically Black colleges. The incident unfolded late Saturday night as hundreds of students gathered for what was described as a social event near the campus courtyard.

According to local outlet 6ABC, gunfire erupted shortly before midnight, sending students running for cover. Witnesses reported hearing a rapid series of shots, followed by screams and chaos as people scrambled toward nearby buildings. “It sounded like fireworks at first,” one student told reporters. “Then everyone started shouting, and I realized it was gunfire. People were falling and trying to hide behind cars.”

Emergency responders arrived within minutes, flooding the area with ambulances, patrol cars, and tactical units. Police established a perimeter around the university grounds and ordered students to shelter in place while they searched for the suspect or suspects. Campus security issued alerts through text and email urging everyone to stay indoors and lock their doors until the situation was contained.

Officials confirmed that seven individuals were shot, though the extent of their injuries remains under investigation. Several victims were transported to nearby hospitals in Chester County and Philadelphia for treatment. Law enforcement has not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made or identified a possible motive.

Videos posted on social media show scenes of panic as students sprinted across the courtyard, diving behind benches and cars while the sound of gunfire echoed through the night. Some clips captured officers running toward the scene, shouting for bystanders to get to safety. The footage quickly went viral, drawing national attention to the incident.

Local authorities described the situation as “fluid and ongoing.” Police say they are interviewing witnesses and reviewing security footage from multiple angles on campus. The FBI and Pennsylvania State Police have reportedly joined the investigation, given the scale of the attack and the potential involvement of multiple shooters.

In an official statement released early Sunday, Lincoln University expressed deep concern and promised full cooperation with law enforcement. “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” the statement read. “The university community is devastated by this act of violence. We are working closely with authorities to ensure the safety of our students and to bring those responsible to justice.”

Classes have been temporarily suspended while campus police enhance patrols and counseling services are made available for students. University President Dr. Brenda Allen called the shooting “a heartbreaking reminder of how gun violence continues to plague communities across America, even those dedicated to education and opportunity.”

Students who were at the event described a night that began with laughter and music and ended in terror. One sophomore said she had just arrived when she saw people running toward the dorms. “I dropped my phone and started running too,” she recalled. “I didn’t look back until I was inside.” Another student said he saw at least two people collapse near the stage area before being helped away by friends.

Community leaders across Pennsylvania have condemned the shooting. Governor Josh Shapiro released a statement calling it “a senseless act of violence that has no place on any college campus.” He pledged full state support to aid the investigation and ensure student safety.

Police sources told reporters that investigators are exploring several leads, including whether the shooting stemmed from a dispute during the event or if it was premeditated. Authorities also believe more than one firearm may have been used, based on shell casings found at multiple points on the scene.

The Chester County District Attorney’s Office has opened a formal inquiry, with forensic teams combing the campus courtyard for ballistic evidence. Officers were seen marking dozens of shell casing locations late into the night as helicopters circled overhead.

While no fatalities have been reported, doctors treating the injured say at least two victims remain in critical condition. Families of the wounded have been notified, and hospital officials have requested privacy on their behalf.

As dawn broke, the usually peaceful campus was blanketed with police tape and media crews. Students gathered in small groups, some crying, others simply staring in disbelief. “Lincoln has always been a safe place,” said one senior. “To see it turned into a crime scene is unreal.”

By Sunday afternoon, local clergy and university officials held a vigil on the main lawn, lighting candles for the victims and the fallen sense of security. “We are resilient,” said Reverend Thomas Grant, a community pastor who attended the vigil. “But resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance. We must demand better protection for our young people.”

The shooting at Lincoln University joins a growing list of campus violence incidents across the United States this year, reigniting debates about gun control, security, and youth safety. Experts warn that the proliferation of firearms combined with social tension has made universities increasingly vulnerable.

As investigators continue their work, the campus remains closed to nonessential personnel. Authorities have urged anyone with information or footage from the scene to contact police immediately. “We will not rest until those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” said Chester County Sheriff Maria Lopez.

For now, Lincoln University — a school with a proud legacy dating back to 1854 — is left to grapple with the emotional aftermath of a night that shattered its peace. What began as a campus celebration ended as a community’s collective nightmare, a sobering reminder of how quickly safety can vanish in the face of violence.