From the Oval Office to courtrooms, several Penn alumni made national headlines this year — repeatedly tying the University to high-profile controversies.
Crime
Philadelphia Police Department investigating 40th and Walnut shooting as search for suspect continues
A PPD spokesperson additionally wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian that officers transported the victim to Penn Presbyterian with injuries to the abdomen and arm.
40th and Walnut streets area ‘all clear’ after one injured in shooting
An 11:38 p.m. UPennAlert stated that the 4000 block of Walnut Street was “all clear” and that activity could resume in the area.
Penn employee Meaza Brown killed in hit-and-run
Brown — who worked as a custodian in Penn's Housekeeping division — was walking to work when she was struck by a car that later fled the scene.
Philadelphia Police Department investigating 40th and Walnut shooting as search for suspect continues
A PPD spokesperson additionally wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian that officers transported the victim to Penn Presbyterian with injuries to the abdomen and arm.
40th and Walnut streets area ‘all clear’ after one injured in shooting
An 11:38 p.m. UPennAlert stated that the 4000 block of Walnut Street was “all clear” and that activity could resume in the area.
Police arrest three individuals after ‘disorderly’ juveniles gather on Penn campus, DPS says
In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, DPS wrote that officers from both the Philadelphia Police Department and the Penn Police Department were present during the Nov. 8 incident.
The Department of Public Safety sent a Sept. 25 message to the Penn community noting “multiple recent reports” of “groups of young people slapping or striking individuals in the head.”
Penn, Phila. community members gather for vigil to honor Grays Ferry shooting victim Azir Harris
The Oct. 5 vigil took place at St. Mary’s Church on Locust Walk and was organized by the Harris family and the Lotus Collective.
Her 85-month prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.
2020 graduate Luigi Mangione’s defense cites Penn, academic record in argument against death penalty
In a Sept. 20 motion filed in the Southern District of New York, Mangione’s defense described him as “a smart, kind, well-rounded, young man” whose life “has been derailed” by the government’s case.
New York court drops terrorism charges against 2020 Penn graduate, murder suspect Luigi Mangione
The terrorism charges levied against Mangione were among the most serious counts he faced and carried a sentence of life without parole.
New Penn Police chief talks goals for community safety, department culture in DP interview
Ahead of his first year in the role, Wood named safety, community partnerships, and officer morale as his priorities in an interview with the DP.
Division of Public Safety issues safety advisory due to increase in electric scooter thefts
There have been 25 instances of e-bike and motorized scooter theft — classified as auto theft — in the past 60 days, according to Penn’s crime log.
Derrick Wood named Penn’s next Chief of Police
Wood served as interim chief of police since Williams’ departure and will continue to oversee crime prevention, law enforcement, and safety education on and off campus.
Charges dropped for suspect in October Penn Presbyterian hit-and-run
The acquittal concludes a high-profile case that drew citywide attention after 21-year-old Jaadir Goodwyn surrendered himself to the police for his involvement the hit-and-run incident.
2020 Penn graduate Luigi Mangione indicted on federal charges in CEO murder case
On April 17, Mangione was indicted in U.S. District Court in New York on four charges, one of which makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
U.S. attorney general orders prosecutors to pursue death penalty for Penn graduate Luigi Mangione
In December 2024, Mangione was charged with murder as an act of terrorism in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Ad hoc committee finds Penn Police acted with ‘professionalism’ in October search warrant execution
The formation of the committee followed public backlash in response the execution of the October 2024 warrant.
Penn graduate Luigi Mangione charged with murder as an act of terrorism in CEO killing
2020 Penn Engineering graduate Luigi Mangione was indicted on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder — along with eight additional charges — in the UnitedHealthcare CEO case on Dec. 17.



















