Lincoln University is conducting an ‘after-action review’ after fatal Homecoming shooting
Classes will resume Wednesdays but professors have been asked to ‘offer grace’ to affected students.
Lincoln University’s president said Tuesday the school is conducting an “after-action review” of its policies and procedures following the on-campus shooting of seven people — one who died — during homecoming festivities Saturday.
“Our goal is to refine our policies, procedures, and protocols as needed to enhance the safety of our community,” president Brenda A. Allen said during a news conference that lasted less than seven minutes and was held at the entrance to the historically Black university’s campus in rural Chester County.
Classes will resume Wednesday, she said, but professors have been asked to “offer grace to students who may need a little bit more time returning to their full routine.”
» READ MORE: One dead, six others shot at Lincoln University
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials said Tuesday afternoon that they had confirmed a match between a fired .380 cartridge recovered from the scene and the Glock 28 semiautomatic pistol Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson had in his possession the night of the shooting. He was charged with possessing a concealed firearm without a license.
Given the new information, a Chester County Court judge approved prosecutors’ request to increase Morgan-Thompson’s bail to $1,000,000, prosecutors said. No new charges have been filed against him.
Prosecutors say Morgan-Thompson is not a student at Lincoln and is not an alumnus. It remained unclear why Morgan-Thompson was on campus and whether he had any relation to the victims.
“Our duty is to protect the public and to responsibly pursue justice, even in the wake of an unthinkable tragedy,” said Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe during a news conference in West Chester. “The bail increase is a step forward in that process.”
De Barrena-Sarobe offered few additional details, however, citing the integrity of the investigation. He did not confirm whether any of the bullets fired from Morgan-Thompson’s pistol struck anyone, for example.
Allen, the Lincoln president, and the university’s general counsel declined to answer most questions at the news conference, including what their review may entail or which safety changes might be needed, and referred questions that pertained to the investigation to the district attorney’s office.
“Unfortunately, shootings happen every day in this country, and the Lincoln University community is one of the latest victims of this scourge,” said general counsel Venus Boston.
Six of the people, ages 20 to 25, wounded by gunfire are expected to recover, authorities have said. One victim is a student and another an alumnus, authorities have said. Jujuan Jeffers, 20, of Wilmington, was killed.
» READ MORE: Chester County prosecutors still trying to determine motive, identify suspects in Lincoln University shooting
The district attorney’s office has said investigators believe there were multiple shooters.
The district attorney urged witnesses to the shooting to submit tips and videos taken that evening to the FBI, which is partnering with Chester County law enforcement in the search for additional suspects and information.
He said investigators were dealing with a “complicated crime scene” that involved a variety of fired cartridge casings as well as unfired ammunition.
“Every asset from the state, the county, the FBI, and other partners in other states is being used at this very moment to track down every single lead,” de Barrena-Sarobe said.
Lincoln officials said they are not aware of any connection that Jeffers or Morgan-Thompson had to the university. They were not employees or students.
“We have been focused on supporting our students, faculty, and staff as they process the shock and loss of the sense of security in the aftermath of such a violent incident,” Allen said.
The school has been providing counseling to students, and those services will be available throughout the semester, she said. Faculty and staff also are being offered support through the employee assistance program, she said.
“The Lincoln University community offers its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased young man, and we pray for the full healing of those injured during this tragic incident,” Allen said.
She thanked the community for sending food, offering prayers, and posting supportive messages on social media.