Call For Hospital Access After Violence at Lincoln University

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Several state lawmakers representing Chester and Montgomery counties expressed sympathy to the victims who were stabbed, including one fatally, at Lincoln University in the borough of Oxford, Chester County.

One victim, Jawine Evans, 21, died at the scene, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s office.

Two others were taken to Christiana Hospital, Delaware, where they were treated and released.

They were not identified. Chester County detectives continue to investigate the attack.

The lawmakers - State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, a Democrat representing Chester and Montgomery counties: and Dan K. Williams and Kristine Howard, both Democrats representing Chester County, - are pressing for legislation that would require additional safety measures to provide more convenient healthcare for Pennsylvanians.

The lawmakers said in a prepared statement that they are appalled that the victims were forced to ride 26 miles to the nearest hospital emergency room because two local hospitals Jennersville Hospital, West Grove, and Brandywine Hospital, Caln Township, recently closed after a sale fell through.

“Twenty-six miles is no short ride under the best of circumstances, but when the circumstances are literally life and death, 26 miles is endless,” the statement said.

“Until December, hospital care for Lincoln University students was just four miles away at Jennersville Hospital. Unfortunately, Jennersville closed at the end of 2021. This was followed by the closure of Brandywine Hospital in Caln Township last month. These closures were the result of a sale that fell through.”

The lawmakers introduced legislation on Feb. 10 that would require the state Department of Health to approve the sale of hospitals.

The proposed legislation is designed to provide a safety measure by holding public hearings.

The lawmakers expressed appreciation to Chester County Judge Edward Griffith for ordering Tower Health to resume the sale of both hospitals to Canyon Atlantic Partners. This order will not immediately reopen the hospitals, but it is a step in the right direction, according to the three lawmakers.