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Nydira Smith, 39, is accused of killing Jawine Evans, 21, and injuring Eric Dickerson, 22, and Clifton Walker, 22, on the campus in Lower Oxford, according to a criminal complaint provided by the Chester County District Attorney's Office.
Smith is the sister of a Lincoln University student, who was also involved in the fight, the DA's office noted.
Responding officers found Evans in a grassy area outside the Living and Learning Center (LLC) dorm with a knife wound to the neck and two other stabbing victims around 9:15 p.m., authorities said.
Evans was pronounced dead at the scene, while Dickerson and Walker were taken to Christiana Hospital in Wilmington, DE, where they were treated and released for non-fatal stab wounds, the DA's office said.
A portion of the incident was caught on video, showing Smith “plunging a knife into Evans’ neck, after which Evans staggers backward with a traumatic arterial bleed from his neck," a release states.
Evans can be heard yelling, “F***, she stabbed me,” and clutching the right side of his neck, according to the complaint. The video shows at least six more students in danger of being stabbed, police added.
A witness gave investigators two other videos that showed the incident, which happened in the first-floor hallway of LLC’s south wing, records show.
Campus security footage shows a maroon Infiniti registered to Smith driving into the campus at 9:07 p.m. – just before the stabbing – and leaving at 9:22 p.m., according to court papers. The Infiniti was then captured traveling east in Upper Chichester at 10:05 p.m.
Investigators found the Infiniti in the 7100 block of Ardleigh Street in Philadelphia the next day, the DA's office said. During a warranted search, they discovered blood-stained clothing consistent with what Smith was wearing on video during the killing.
Investigators found a set of knives that had one knife missing and medical papers from Chestnut Hill Hospital, showing that she was treated for a laceration to her hand, the DA's office said.
During a warranted search on Feb. 18, investigators discovered human blood inside her car, they said.
Smith was charged with first-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, aggravated assault, and other related charges. She was sent to Chester County Prison without bail.
“This is a parent’s worst nightmare. This senseless and tragic incident is devastating to not only the families of the victims but the entire Lincoln University community – students, staff, and parents – who believed their college campus was a safe place," DA Deb Ryan said.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this. My office will prosecute the defendant to the fullest extent of the law to bring justice to Jawine Evans’ family, the other victims, and Lincoln University.”
Smith's preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 8.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Detective John DiBattista at 610-344-6866.
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