17-year-old in critical condition after SEPTA bus shooting in North Philly

Police chased suspects driving a silver Kia, which eventually crashed; authorities took the driver into custody.

A shooting took place on West Allegheny Avenue by North 3rd Street Friday at 6:16 p.m. A gunman opened fire in a crowded SEPTA bus, striking a 17-year-old boy. A police chase ensued and authorities took a suspect into custody.
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice

A gunman fired shots inside a crowded SEPTA bus in North Philly Friday night, resulting in a 17-year-old boy in critical condition and a police chase where authorities apprehended a suspect.

The shooting happened near North 3rd Street and West Allegheny Avenue at 6:16 p.m. Around 30 people were on the bus during the incident, and investigators believe the 17-year-old, who was at the back of the bus, was the only person shot; they also believe he was the intended target.


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A private vehicle took the 17-year-old boy to Temple University Hospital in "extremely critical condition." He has since been put in stable condition. Officers at the scene found at least one spent shell casing and blood on the floor of the bus. They also recovered a gun near 4th Street and Allegheny Avenue, finding four spent shell casings in the area.

Police said that the shooting occurred inside the bus, but said on Tuesday that another offender fired shots from outside. A SEPTA spokesperson said an altercation happened on-board the bus and the offender exited and shot at the bus multiple times.

The bus was disabled in the shooting, with bullet holes in the windows, exterior and engine area. The vehicle's electric power system was damaged and the bus was leaking anti-freeze. SEPTA engineers are working to get the bus functional again and authorities hope to recover video footage from the vehicle.

Two suspects, both males with one between the ages 17-24 and the other 17-20, remain at large as the incident remains under investigation.


Correction: An earlier version of this article included the details of a chase that happened after the shooting on the SEPTA bus. Police on Oct. 8 said that the chase was unrelated to this incident. The article has also been updated to include additional information from Philadelphia Police and SEPTA released Tuesday.