Family of man killed at Lincoln University homecoming sues school, alleges negligence

LOWER OXFORD TWP., Pa. (WPVI) — The family of Ju’Juan Jeffers has filed a lawsuit against Lincoln University, alleging the school’s negligence led to the 20-year-old’s death during the university’s homecoming celebration last fall.

Jeffers was fatally shot during the event, and his family contends the killing could have been prevented.

The complaint names Lincoln University, the campus police chief, unidentified security staff and the man charged in the shooting as defendants.

“The killing was foretold to Lincoln University. They were warned, they were offered help and they refused help,” said the family’s attorney, Michael Van der Veen.

According to the lawsuit, the university was unprepared to handle the size of the homecoming crowd.

“They were totally ill-equipped to have this crowd there. They didn’t have metal detectors, they didn’t have wands, they weren’t checking ID,” Van der Veen said.

On Oct. 25, hundreds of people, including Jeffers, traveled to the campus for the annual celebration.

Around 9:30 p.m., gunshots rang out, and one struck Jeffers in the head. Six other people were injured in the shooting and the chaos that followed.

The attorney representing the family claims the university lacked an adequate emergency response plan and had a history of ignoring safety concerns.

“They’d been told before that EMS can’t get anywhere near that university when that big event is going on, but they didn’t take the necessary precautions,” Van der Veen said.

The complaint also alleges the township offered to assist with crowd control and parking, but the university declined the help.

“Our investigation right now is uncovering that the university was in discussions for quite some time about the safety problems and traffic hazards,” Van der Veen said.

As of now, Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson of Wilmington has been charged with carrying a firearm without a license. The Jeffers family is seeking punitive damages and a complete audit of the university’s security procedures.

“The thought of even their future right now, they can’t even comprehend. They know in their hearts they want to stop this so other families don’t suffer the way they have,” Van der Veen said.

Lincoln University did not respond to a request for comment. The township also did not have a statement at this time.