Black communities across America are reeling from a disturbing trend, as two historically Black universities, Howard and Lincoln, were rocked by gun violence during their homecoming celebrations. What should have been weekends of joyful reunion and festivity turned into scenes of chaos and fear, leaving multiple people injured and calling for the safety of Black institutions.
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“Mass shooting at Howard University yesterday, and now mass shooting at Lincoln! Praying. We have to protect our HBCUs,” posted one user on X.
At Howard University, the air of excitement for Homecoming Kick-Off and a Greek Step Show on Friday night (Oct. 24) was shattered by gunfire. Shots rang out around 8:30 pm on the 600 Block of Howard, NW, sending hundreds fleeing for safety. While no Howard students were among the injured, a senior from Morgan State University was a victim.
In total, three adult males, one adult woman, and a 13-year-old boy sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to D.C. News Now. Police, already patrolling the area, swiftly responded, leading to the arrest of two unnamed suspects and the recovery of three guns at a nearby McDonald’s on Georgia Avenue, according to NBC Washington.
D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith has vowed “robust” security for the remainder of Howard’s Homecoming, sending a clear message that the city “will not tolerate individuals who come into the city with firearms.” Howard University itself released a statement on The Dig at Howard University on Saturday (Oct. 25), confirming that none of the suspects were affiliated with the university and praising the swift actions of the Metropolitan Police Department and the Howard University Department of Public Safety (HUPD). The statement reiterated the university’s commitment to safety, announcing “enhanced security measures throughout the weekend, including an increased presence of University security personnel and local law enforcement agencies on and around campus.”
But the nightmare wasn’t over. Just as the Howard community grappled with their incident, police in Philadelphia were called to another shooting at Lincoln University on Saturday night (Oct. 25). Near the school’s International Cultural Center, shots were fired around 9:30 pm as homecoming crowds celebrated a football game, according to CNN. This tragic incident left six wounded and one dead. One suspect, found with a firearm, has been arrested, according to The Independent. While officials have yet to release the identities and conditions of the victims and suspect, the campus was briefly locked down before the threat was deemed contained. Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe stated that the shooting is not being treated as “a planned attack” as police continue to investigate the motive, according to The New York Post.
While Lincoln University has yet to issue a formal statement, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro took to X to urge the public to “Please avoid the area, continue to follow the guidance of local law enforcement, and join Lori (his wife) and me in praying for the Lincoln University community.”
On TikTok, one student at the university (@lil2fourr) captured the chaos after the incident, which had comments from folks asking if HBCUs are being targeted, and others added that they wouldn’t attend their college events because they don’t feel safe.
“First Howard, now Lincoln, something’s going on,” wrote one user.
Another user recalled shootings from last year, wondering if this is the new normal. “This is becoming an every-year occurrence at a lot of schools, smh,” added another.
Among the jokes and quippy tiktoks is something darker… Black Americans are feeling unsafe.
“Glad I just went to work tonight, ’cause never,” commented another.
“Exactly why I stay my a** home,” wrote another.
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