A high school student in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania lost his life in a violent episode at a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus stop in North Philadelphia, which also left four others wounded, including two teenage boys and two women aboard a bus, on the afternoon of Monday, March 4, 2024.
The incident happened shortly before 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of Ogontz and Godfrey Avenues within the Ogontz neighborhood. According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, during a press briefing, the shooters, at least one armed with an automatic weapon, attacked a gathering of 15-20 youths who had begun boarding at the bus stop, unleashing a barrage of gunfire.
Dayemen Taylor, a 17-year-old resident of Fern Rock, was critically injured by several bullets and later died from his injuries at the Albert Einstein Medical Center. Bethel noted that the attack seemed to be targeted at Taylor.
A bullet slightly injured a 15-year-old as he fled, and a 14-year-old arrived at the hospital with a wound to his lower body. Both were reported to be in stable condition.
Imhotep Institute Charter High School’s CEO, Baba Andre Noble, informed the local media that two of their students, including Taylor, were among the shooting’s casualties. The school opted for virtual classes following the incident.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as shots rang out, and the SEPTA Route 6 bus became an unintended target in the violence. A 50-year-old woman and a 71-year-old woman on the bus sustained injuries but were in stable condition, caught in the line of fire while inside the bus. According to Bethel, the bus’ glass possibly played a role in mitigating the impact of the bullets.
SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch emphasized the seriousness of the event, expressed condolences for the victims, and reaffirmed the transit authority’s commitment to safety. The bus driver managed to quickly drive away to safety, stopping some blocks away amidst a significant police response.
Authorities are pursuing the two suspects who managed to escape the scene. “The shooting, occurring near a daycare and amidst a crowded area, could have resulted in even more casualties,” Bethel remarked.
The community’s anxiety was palpable, with residents expressing fear over the growing violence. Despite a reduction in homicides in Philadelphia, the event underscores the ongoing challenge of ensuring public safety.
SEPTA, having experienced a fatal shooting incident just a day prior when someone was killed disembarking a bus in a different area of the city, denounced the violence as “unacceptable.”
“Every SEPTA passenger deserves to travel in safety,” stated Busch. “With 700,000 trips provided daily, such incidents are exceedingly uncommon. Nonetheless, a single occurrence is intolerable, and the SEPTA Police are committed to intensifying collaboration with the Philadelphia Police and other security agencies to fortify safety across the transit network.”
During a press conference on Tuesday, District Attorney Larry Krasner emphasized that his office is dedicated to ensuring the apprehension of those accountable, aiming for them to face “severe” repercussions.