Police investigate shooting at SEPTA station in Center City, 19-year-old injured

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia and SEPTA police are working to track down four to five people in connection to a shooting of a young man Monday night on a subway platform in Center City.

Philadelphia police said someone shot a 19-year-old male just after 11:30 p.m. on the Market-Frankford westbound platform at the 15th Street Station.

The victim was hit once and rushed to Jefferson University Hospital, according to police.

Investigators said the shooting stemmed from a fight between two groups of people.

"There is a bit of anxiety you feel every day when you go on to SEPTA, but for the most part, even taking it five days a week, I haven't really experienced much," said passenger Brett Weise of Northern Liberties. "But when you do see these kinds of things in the news, it's a bit worrisome."

"It's like horrible. I don't feel comfortable on the EL, so I catch the bus and sometimes there are issues on the bus, too. But I have to get work, you know," said passenger Joanne Pinkston of West Philadelphia.

SEPTA released surveillance video images of the shooting suspect. The transit agency said the shooter fled immediately after the shooting.

Last week, a 15-year-old Roxborough High School student was shot and killed during a fight on the Route 23 bus in the city's Germantown section.

Police are also still looking for the shooter in that case.

So far this year, there have been at least nine shooting incidents on SEPTA.

SEPTA Police Captain Kitt Walls said officers have changed tactics in response to recent violence.

"What it caused us to do is change our strategies as far as deployment and patrols, and incorporate more plain clothes," said Capt. Walls. They are also cracking down on full-face coverings.

"We are running a zero tolerance in regards to any individual wearing those masks on SEPTA," said Capt. Walls.

We do know that SEPTA officials utilize thousands of cameras across the transit system to track those who commit crimes.

Anyone with information on Monday night's shooting is asked to contact SEPTA Police at (215) 580-8111.