Philadelphia is reeling from a SEPTA bus stop shooting earlier this month that left a teenager dead and four others injured, with police stepping up efforts to track down the perpetrators responsible for this senseless act of violence. FOX29 reported that authorities released new surveillance photos on Monday in a bid to solicit public assistance in apprehending the two suspects.
The attack took place on March 4, around 3:44 p.m. near Broad and Godfrey Avenue at 6400 Ogontz Avenue, where a crowd was set to board an arriving bus; it is here where the suspects emerged and began firing into the group of 15–20 people, a horrific scene unfolding as two other teens and two passengers on the SEPTA Route 6 bus were caught in the crossfire, and Taylor, a 17-year-old Imhotep Charter School student, was fatally shot multiple times according to NBC Philadelphia.
There is a dark, worrying trend of young lives being lost to gun violence in the community, emphasized by Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. He expressed his distress in a statement, "Watching the number of kids shot at a school, never thought it would continue. I hoped we had gotten to a place where we can stop that from happening," as 6ABC reported. He described the targeted nature of the ambush and confirmed the unfortunate passing of the young student from the Fern Rock neighborhood shortly after the attack.
Bethel made a public appeal urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to step forward and assist the police; their commitment to justice is steadfast as they continue to investigate the brazen attack. The community, while still grappling with this tragic event, has been reminded of the resources available for those affected by gun violence; details on these supports can be accessed through various local outlets for those in Philadelphia needing help healing or coping from such traumatic experiences.
