PHILADELPHIA, PA – A 16-year-old bystander who was shot in the head while waiting for a SEPTA train at the 15th Street Station last week has tragically passed away, according to sources. The shooting, which took place on the westbound SEPTA platform in Center City Philadelphia, resulted in charges being approved against two teenagers by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
The 17-year-old alleged shooter is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and evading arrest. Additionally, a 16-year-old is facing charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Sources reveal that the DA is working to upgrade these charges.
One of the suspects, the 17-year-old, is known to police due to prior arrests, including a weapons offense two years ago and unauthorized use of a vehicle last year. Chief of SEPTA Transit Police Charles Lawson expressed frustration, stating, “It didn’t stop him from reoffending. It didn’t stop him from carrying a firearm illegally. It’s frustrating.”
According to investigators, the 17-year-old boarded a train from North Philadelphia to go downtown and then met up with the second suspect at the 15th Street station. Following the meeting, the 17-year-old allegedly fired into a crowd on the platform, shooting the 16-year-old victim in the head. The victim was unresponsive and rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
After the shooting, the two suspects were taken into custody. Police are still searching for a motive by looking through hundreds of cameras, as there is no indication that the victim and the suspects communicated before the shooting. “Our biggest crime issue on SEPTA is involving groups of juveniles. Groups of juveniles meet up – bad things happen,” Lawson stated.
The shooting occurred on the same day that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced a lawsuit to stop a new law designed to limit his authority on SEPTA crimes. Krasner argues that the plan to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute crimes on the city transit system is unconstitutional. Despite the attorney general’s office being directed to appoint a new special prosecutor within 30 days, the deadline has passed.
Any individual with information on the incident is urged to contact Philadelphia police or SEPTA police.