14-year-old shot, killed on SEPTA platform in Philadelphia

The teen was transported to Presbyterian Hospital where he died a short time later.

Sunday, May 14, 2023
14-year-old shot, killed on SEPTA platform in Philadelphia
14-year-old shot, killed on SEPTA platform in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A 14-year-old was shot and killed on a SEPTA platform on Saturday.

An adult man was identified as the suspect, and he is now on the run, according to Action News' sources.

Officials say the shooting happened on the 5200 block of Market Street on a train platform for the Market-Frankford Line just after 2 p.m.

At the scene, police found a 14-year-old male who had been shot in the chest and arm.

The teen was transported to Presbyterian Hospital where he died a short time later.

There is no word yet on his identity.

Sources tell Action News that the incident started with an altercation between the male suspect and the victim. They say it turned physical when the teen hit the suspect.

That's when the suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at least two shots, fatally wounding the teen. The man then immediately fled the scene.

Sources also confirmed the suspect likely tried to hide evidence of the crime by burning his clothes behind a laundromat near the scene.

For residents in the area, the news of another young teen killed by gun violence is devastating.

"Kids are killing each other every day. It has to stop," said Walter Briggs from West Philadelphia.

Briggs said he doesn't see an end to the shootings anytime soon with the way things are going.

"Too much negativism on TV, video games," he said. "Deteriorates their common sense and today we need common sense."

He also added that he feels as if it's only a matter of time until something like this happens again unless there is a major shift in mindset by everyone in the city.

"It takes a man to raise a child and a village to raise a group of children, so we all need to come together ... and act as a group and see if we can all come together and stop this violence in Philadelphia," he said.

Officers say no arrest has been made and no weapons were recovered.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Philadelphia police immediately.

SEPTA officials released the following statement on the shooting:

"This was a horrific incident, and SEPTA is working closely with Philadelphia police to find the suspect in this case. SEPTA serves over 600,000 riders a day, and the vast majority get to-and-from their destinations without incident. However, even one violent crime is too many, and we are continuing to adjust police patrols and add officers to our ranks so we can address hot spots while providing police coverage across the system."