By Richard L. Gaw, Staff Writer

The Lincoln University campus, which was the scene of a festive Homecoming Weekend of celebration on Saturday morning and afternoon, turned violent on Saturday night when a lone gunman opened fire at the university’s International Cultural Center (ICC) Building, injuring six people and killing one person.

The shooter, who has not yet been publicly identified, has been taken into custody, and those injured in the melee were taken to Christiana Hospital.

During an early Sunday morning press conference, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said that shots rang out at the building beginning at about 9 p.m. and also said that the possibility that there may be more than one shooter involved in the incident “is a very real possibility.”

“We don’t have a lot of answers about exactly what happened,” de Barrena-Sarobe said. “What I will tell you is that today we’re operating as if this is not an incident where someone came in with the design to inflict mass damage on a college campus.”

de Barrena-Sarobe directed those with information on the shooting to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).

The motive for the attack has yet to be determined.

Information from a scanner traffic report provided a timeline of the incident from 9 p.m. until 11:48 p.m. that included victims being trampled during the incident and requiring medical attention, as well as a separate incident involving several men near the university’s football stadium:

9:00 p.m.                     Several police and EMS units arrived on the Lincoln University campus, 1570 Baltimore Pike. Police on scene report multiple gunshot victims at the ICC Building.

9:17 p.m.                     EMS reporting at least three victims at this time, possibly more. Police units from all over the western part of Chester County begin to arrive on the scene.

9:19 p.m.                     12 EMS units dispatched and or on scene

9:22 p.m.                     Active shots being heard at this time inside the building.

9:33 p.m.                     Four victims reported.

9:40 p.m.                     A Level 2 Mass Casualty (MCI) has been declared. Multiple additional EMS units now dispatched

9:40 p.m.                     Now confirmed: Five patients shot.

10:07 p.m.                   Several all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are dispatched to assist with transporting injured persons to the staging area. EMS units report that they are unable to get through due to traffic.

10:23 p.m.                   A medical helicopter has now been requested to the scene as well.

10:29 p.m.                   Another possible gunshot victim just found, as well as multiple subjects that have been injured from being trampled.

10:32 p.m.                   A large group of approximately 20 males now fighting in front of the stadium.

10:41 p.m.                   Two helicopters enroute to the scene.

10:47 p.m.                   Another disturbance now at the McDonalds/Wawa at 1849 Baltimore Pike

11:48 p.m.                   Situation still ongoing

Earlier, the campus was the site of a Homecoming Weekend of festivities that began on Oct. 23 with a Kick-Off pep rally and reception, followed by  a Welcome Party at the Young Alumni Lounge on Oct. 24. The celebration continued on Oct. 25 with an alumni breakfast meet-and-greet event, followed by a tailgating and Yardfest event that began at 10 a.m. – all as a prelude to the Homecoming game between the Lions and visiting Elizabeth City State University at the university’s Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman Field. A Homecoming worship service was also scheduled for Oct. 26 at the Mary Dod Memorial Chapel.

In an announcment posted on its Instagram account, Lincoln University wrote that it will provide counseling services beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 “for any students and staff who need counseling support.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement, saying that he had been briefed on the incident, and that his administration is offering full support to university President Dr. Brenda Allen.

“Please avoid the area, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement, and join Lori and me in praying for the Lincoln University community,” Shapiro wrote.

Stay tuned to the Chester County Press for further updates.