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Two separate shootings disrupted homecoming celebrations at historically Black colleges over the weekend, leaving one person dead and at least 11 others wounded, authorities said.
On Friday (October 24) night, five people were injured near Washington, D.C.'s Howard University in a shooting that unfolded on Howard Place NW, just outside campus, per PEOPLE. Officers arrived at the scene at around 8:30 p.m. and found three men, one woman, and a 13-year-old boy suffering from gunshot wounds. All were “conscious and breathing” and taken to area hospitals.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said none of the victims were Howard students, though one attended Morgan State University. Two suspects were taken into custody, and three guns were recovered. One suspect attempted to flee the scene but was caught in a nearby McDonald’s parking lot, officials said.
Howard said the shooting was not affiliated with the university and “no students, faculty, or staff were involved." The shooting appeared to stem from a confrontation between two individuals, according to officials.
“HUPD has implemented enhanced security measures throughout the weekend, including an increased presence of University security and local law enforcement agencies,” the HBCU said in a statement. “The University appreciates the swift and coordinated response of MPD and HUPD officers.”
MPD Chief Pamela Smith condemned the violence, urging residents to “put the guns down.”
“We’re not going to tolerate individuals coming into our town with firearms,” Smith said.
The shooting came on the eve of Howard’s homecoming football game against Morgan State University.
Just a day later, gunfire broke out at Lincoln University in Chester County, Pennsylvania, during homecoming celebrations on Saturday (October 25) night, killing one person and injuring six others, per HuffPost. The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. outside the International Cultural Center, where students and alumni were tailgating and socializing after a football game.
25-year-old Jujuan Jeffers was shot in the head and died just after midnight. The six other victims, ages 20 to 25, are expected to survive. One of the victims was a current student, another a graduate, and four were not affiliated with the school.
One person was arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed firearm without a license, but it's still unclear whether that weapon was used in the shooting. Detectives and the FBI are conducting grid searches to recover bullet casings and evidence.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said investigators believe “there was more than one shooter,” but didn't think the assailants came to campus “with a specific design to cause a mass casualty event.”
Lincoln University Police Chief Marc Partee called the violence devastating.
“If there was another word to describe that that’s more impactful, I would use it,” Partee said. “But ‘devastated’ is a start.”
The university, located about 45 miles southwest of Philadelphia, canceled classes on Monday (October 27) and planned a community event for students and staff.
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