Homicide on SEPTA platform in Center City Philadelphia as transit officer strike continues

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- A suspect is in custody after a fatal stabbing at a SEPTA subway station concourse in Center City Philadelphia on Thursday morning.

SEPTA said the 30-year-old victim was stabbed at the Walnut-Locust station of the Broad Street Line around 6:30 a.m. at South Broad and Spruce streets.

A SEPTA supervisor patrolling the platform caught the suspect and handed him over to police.

A total of 178 transit officers who patrol SEPTA stations walked off the job Wednesday after a stalemate with the transit company.

The arresting supervisor is one of 49 who typically oversees SEPTA transit officers. The supervisors have taken on 12-hour shifts to fill the void.

The transit officers' union says the system is undoubtedly less safe without their officers on patrol.

"You tell me, how safe can the system be if you're doing it with one-third of the officers that are normally out there?" said Troy Parham, the Vice President of FOTP 109.

Since the fatal stabbing on Thursday, riders say they are looking over their shoulder.

Al Jones commutes into Center City from Lansdowne. He said, "It's kind of eerie to feel like you're not safe and the people who are supposed to be protecting you are not there."

Michelle Perrone takes SEPTA every day. Although she's never personally needed a transit officer, she's often seen them in action.

"It's a little scary knowing that they are on strike. I hope they get what they want soon so they can go back to work," said Perrone.

Monetary issues have been worked out in the contract deal between SEPTA and the union. A work rule regarding body camera footage is one of a few remaining sticking points.

The transit officers' union says as a mediator has reached out to them to try and get them back to the table. Talks are set to continue Friday evening.