2024 Philadelphia shooting
| Philadelphia Bus Stop Shooting | |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Date | March 6, 2024 c. 2:58 p.m. (EST) |
Attack type | Mass Shooting |
| Weapons | Several handguns |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Injured | 8 |
| Victims | 8 |
| Perpetrators | Jamaal Tucker, Ahnile Buggs, Jeremiah Jefferson, Jermahd Carter and Asir Boone |
On March 6, 2024, shortly after Northeast High School dismissed in Northeast Philadelphia, several gunmen opened fire on a group of teens waiting for the Route 18 bus. In total, eight people between the ages of 15 and 17 were shot, including the intended target, who was shot nine times.[1] Shortly after, a manhunt ensued and all suspects were caught by March 20.[2]
Sequence of events[edit]
In Rhawnhurst, Philadelphia, a small neighborhood in the lower northeast of the city, a local public high school at Cottman and Algon avenues had just dismissed well over 3000 students.[3] Several of these students destined for locations to the south and west catch SEPTA route 18 which runs approximately 6 blocks from the school. These students will either walk or catch route 67 or 70 for the short 6-block journey.
At approximately 2:57 pm roughly two dozen of these students were waiting at a Route 18 bus stop at the busy intersection of Rising Sun, Cottman, and Oxford Avenues. At this time a stolen blue Hyundai Sonata with four occupants[4] entered a parking lot directly behind the bus stop which is home to an abandoned ice cream stand and a Dunkin'. Three of the occupants dressed in all black exited the vehicle and began firing targeting a 17-year-old boy who was standing in the crowd. The gunfire struck the 8 people including the intended target. Since the gunfire was towards the intersection, at least 2 SEPTA buses were also struck with gunfire.[5] No one on these buses was injured. After firing dozens of shots, all three shooters reentered the vehicle and fled the scene. Shortly after the shooting, Mayor Cherrelle Parker, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel arrived on the scene for a press conference.
Victims[edit]
All victims were between the ages of 15 and 17.[6] It is unclear why the 17-year-old was targeted.
Reactions[edit]
Shortly after the shooting, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and others appeared on live television for a press conference to address the situation. Parker said, "We will use every legal tool in the toolbox to ensure the public health and safety of the people of our city".[1]
The shooting sparked renewed discussion about a new act in Pennsylvania[7] that would require a new special prosecutor to be appointed for crimes that happen on mass transit.
Northeast High School went to virtual instruction for the remainder of the week.[8]
A few days after the shooting, one afternoon route 18 bus had its eastern terminus changed from Fox Chase loop to Northeast High School to eliminate the need for students to walk 6 blocks to access the route.[9]
Manhunts[edit]
Using surveillance pulled from the Dunkin' in the parking lot, Philadelphia police were able to identify the suspects and the vehicle used by them. Roughly 7 hours after the shooting, the blue Hyundai Sonata used in the shooting was spotted parked behind a residence.[10] On March 9th an arrest operation was initiated by United States Marshals at a residence on the 900 block of 42nd Street in west Philadelphia.[11] The first suspect, aged 18, was arrested without issue. At the residence, a .40 caliber Glock 22 with an extended magazine, and laser sights was recovered. The gun also had a Glock switch that makes the firearm fully automatic.[12] He was also accused of killing another male on February 15, 2024.[13]
Another suspect, aged 18, turned himself in to the police a couple of days later.[14]
On the afternoon of March 12, a third suspect, aged 19, was arrested by US Marshals at a family's home along the 12000 block of Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia.[15]
On March 20, the 4th suspect, aged 17, was arrested at an apartment several hundred miles away in Alexandria, Virginia. He was hiding with a woman who also had ties to Philadelphia. Law enforcement believes he boarded a bus to get there.[16]
On March 21, a newly identified fifth suspect, aged 15, was arrested in connection to the shooting. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated, "We now have evidence that he was in communication with the people inside that car".[2] He is a student at Northeast High School and was inside the Dunkin' acting as a spotter for the other suspects. He allegedly sent the word "go" right before three gunmen exited the car and carried out the shooting.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Cousin, Jianna. "17-year-old boy shot 9 times at Philadelphia bus stop, in critical condition; 7 others hurt, gunmen at large". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ a b "5th suspect arrested in Philly bus stop shooting that injured 8 students, police vow more arrests". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "School Profiles". schoolprofiles.philasd.org. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
- ^ "Search continues for gunmen, driver in SEPTA bus stop shooting that injured 8 in Burholme". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "8 teens wounded by gunfire at Philadelphia bus stop in city's 4th transit shooting in as many days". AP News. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Philadelphia mass shooting victim recalls fleeing gunfire: 'Everything happened so fast'". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "2023 Act 40". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- ^ Simon, Alexandra; Fox, Adam; Strickland, Raymond; Payoute, Jasmine (2024-03-11). "Northeast High School students return to classroom after 8 teens shot near SEPTA bus stop - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "SEPTA route 18 schedule" (PDF). March 13, 2024.
- ^ Keeley, Steve (2024-03-06). "Philadelphia mass shooting: 8 students shot at SEPTA bus stop; 3 shooters, driver sought". FOX 29 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Rateshtari, Roya (2024-03-11). "U.S. Marshals Arrest Suspect in Philadelphia Bus Stop Shooting | U.S. Marshals Service". www.usmarshals.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "2 arrested, 2 more wanted in connection with mass shooting at SEPTA bus stop that injured 8 teens". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-11. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Suspect in SEPTA bus stop shooting also accused of killing man in February". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Altman-Devilbiss, Alex (2024-03-12). "2 of 4 suspects arrested in connection to Philadelphia bus stop shooting that injured 8". KEYE. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "3rd suspect arrested in Philadelphia bus stop mass shooting; 4th urged to surrender". 6abc Philadelphia. 2024-03-12. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
- ^ Wilson, Shawnette (2024-03-19). "Philadelphia mass shooting: Asir Boone, 4th suspect in SEPTA bus stop shooting, captured in Virginia". FOX 29 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2024-04-02.