Philadelphia Police Officers Hailed for Quick Aid to Victims after SEPTA Bus Stop Shooting, $5,000 Reward for Fugitive

Philadelphia Police Officers Cristian Rodriguez-Hecht and Sean Burgess, have been recognized for their swift and life-saving actions during a recent mass shooting at a Northeast SEPTA bus stop that left eight local high school students wounded. As the chaos unfolded on Rising Sun and Cottman avenues last Wednesday, these officers, headed to lunch when the tragedy struck, rushed to the scene where their training immediately kicked into high gear.

"Some were screaming for their mom, just horrendous. That time I triaged to see what I could help," Rodriguez-Hecht recounted in an interview obtained by CBS Philadelphia. Medical professionals later attested that the officers' prompt application of tourniquets and makeshift bandages, even resorting to using victims' belts at times, were critical in saving those injured during the assault.

Their heroism did not go unnoticed as the ceremony acknowledged the first responders for their courageous deeds. Describing the scene as "chaotic," Officer Burgess, in a statement to NBC Philadelphia, spoke of the urgent necessity to administer care, improvising with the resources at hand despite an insufficient number of tourniquets. "It was chaotic to hear screams of children and look at the blood that's coming out of these kids and realize, there's a lot of kids here," said Burgess.

While Philadelphia Police have apprehended suspects Jermahd Carter, Jamaal Tucker, and Ahnile Buggs, the search continues for the fourth suspect, 17-year-old Asir Boone. Described by law enforcement as "armed and dangerous," Boone remains at large, with U.S. Marshals offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his capture. His last known address was in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, according to details shared by 6ABC. All three suspects in custody are facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, among a slew of other offenses.