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For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193. Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com. In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased's care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email. All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full. Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published. Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing. Chester County’s district attorney on Sunday evening said multiple shooters were likely responsible for the late Saturday gunfire at Lincoln University that killed one man and wounded six other people, and he provided more details of the mass casualty incident the night before. The gunfire began shortly before 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the area outside the International Cultural Center during the university’s homecoming festivities, which followed a football game earlier in the day. DA Chris de Barrena-Sarobe returned Sunday evening to brief the news media, saying that the deceased was Juwan Jeffers, 25, of Wilmington, who died shortly after midnight. As far as the wounded are concerned, one is a student, one was an alum and the rest do not have an affiliation with the campus. All of the gunshot victims were ages 20 to 25 years old. “All six gunshot victims are expected to survive,” de Barrena-Sarobe said. The DA also talked about the man arrested at the scene, Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, 21, of Wilmington, who was committed to Chester County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail on a charge of firearms not to be carried without a license. The DA wasn’t sure whether the firearm found on Morgan-Thompson was part of the shooting. Testing on the firearm is ongoing. He also couldn’t yet say whether the shooting was the result of a physical fight. However, de Barrena-Sarobe said investigators believe there were multiple shooters, but that they didn’t come to campus to cause a mass casualty incident. “We’re treating this as a shooting that broke out during homecoming weekend,” he said. The DA added that evidence gathering was continuing and would continue as long as necessary. Investigators are seeking video of the event to help the probe. “Stitching together videos is going to be a big part of this investigation,” de Barrena-Sarobe. He said he expected there was a good deal of video because the parking lot where it happened was packed. “It was a jam-packed event,” the DA said. “When shootings started happening it was chaos.” Anyone with video is urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). Chester County detectives are leading the investigation. In an earlier news conference, Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee said the shooting devastated the community at the historically Black university on what was supposed to be a joyous day celebrating the school’s legacy. “If there was another word to describe that, that’s more impactful, I would use it,” Partee said, “but ‘devastated’ is a start.” Eric Roe, a Chester County commissioner, issued a statement late Saturday night urging prayers for the university campus. “Please join me in praying for the students and faculty of Lincoln University, as well as the brave members of law enforcement on the scene. It appears there has been a mass shooting there tonight.” Emergency radio traffic showed mass confusion in the wake of the shooting. Gridlocked conditions were reported at Baltimore Pike at the entrance to the campus as personnel tried to clear the way for ambulances to get onto campus. Even an hour after the initial gunfire, campus police and personnel reported one gunshot victim at College Circle and Elkdale. That gunshot victim was soon off to a hospital in an ambulance. A command post was set up at the ICC. Police had begun sweeping the campus buildings. At least a half-dozen ambulances from Delaware County were called to the scene. It’s unclear whether they were involved in transporting victims. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a couple statements after the tragedy, the most recent of which late Sunday afternoon was: “Since the shooting at Lincoln University last night, my Administration has been in constant contact with university officials. I’ve offered our full support to President Allen and local officials, and the PA State Police stand ready to support the Chester County District Attorney’s Office as they proceed with their investigation. “This weekend at Lincoln University of PA should have been spent celebrating the legacy of our nation’s first degree-granting HBCU, not putting the pieces together after a mass shooting. “Lori and I are praying for the six people injured, the families sick with worry, and the one soul who will not come home. May their memory be a blessing.” Lincoln University statement Lincoln University issued this statement later Sunday afternoon: Gun violence happens far too often in our country, and we are heartbroken that Lincoln University and its students are among the latest victims of such senseless violence. An unfortunate incident occurred on our campus, and while more information will continue to be released, we want to assure you that the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, and local, state, and federal law enforcement partners are all actively investigating this matter. The University is fully cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy. As this remains an ongoing investigation, details may evolve over the next several days. We will continue to keep the Lincoln University community informed of any major updates as they become available. While these events deeply sadden us, we are committed to using all available resources to support our students, faculty, and staff as we heal and move forward together. We continue to work closely with law enforcement to ensure justice and safeguard the well-being of our campus community. Together, we remain Lincoln University Strong and Lincoln University Resilient. To prioritize the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, classes will be suspended tomorrow, Monday, October 27th, for a day of healing and reflection. The University will remain open, and staff will be on-site to provide support to students who may need assistance. We invite the campus community to gather at 12:00 noon, tomorrow, October 27th, in the Historic District, between Vail and Amos Hall, for a moment of reflection, connection, and collective healing. • Counseling and Support Services For Students: Counseling Services will be available today and throughout the week for walk-in appointments. Students who are away from campus can access 24/7 virtual support through TimelyCare or schedule a session by calling (484) 365-7244. In addition, support groups will be offered throughout the week to provide space for shared reflection and healing. For Faculty and Staff: We recognize that this tragedy has deeply affected many within our Lincoln family. Confidential counseling and emotional support are available to all employees through the Lincoln University Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Health Advocate. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide guidance, resources, and compassionate support. Contact Health Advocate at 1-877-240-6863 or visit healthadvocate.personaladvantage.com. We thank you for your patience, compassion, and calm as we move through this difficult time together. The strength of Lincoln University has always been rooted in our unity, faith, and resilience, and that remains true today. The Associated Press and PennLive via Tribune News Service contributed to this article. Originally Published: October 26, 2025 at 7:36 PM EDT
