The family of 20-year-old Ju’Juan Jeffers, killed during Lincoln University’s homecoming on October 25, 2025, filed a lawsuit on March 5, 2026, against the school alleging negligence in security and event planning. Gunfire erupted around 9:30 p.m. near the International Cultural Center, injuring six others including a student, with Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson charged for carrying a firearm without a license.
Lawsuit Allegations
The complaint claims Lincoln University ignored prior warnings from local officials about crowd control and EMS access issues, refused offered help, and lacked measures like metal detectors, ID checks, or wands. It accuses the school of prioritizing the “college experience” over safety, fostering a culture that allowed violence, and delaying medical aid due to clogged roads. Defendants include the university, campus police chief, unnamed security staff, and the charged individual.
Family and Legal Statements
Attorney Michael T. van der Veen stated the killing was “foretold” and preventable with better protocols, noting the family’s devastation and desire to prevent future tragedies.[query] Chester County DA Chris de Barrena-Sarobe described it as a spontaneous shooting, not a planned mass casualty event. Lincoln University has not publicly responded to the suit as of March 15, 2026.
