An 18-year-old man accused of shooting at a SEPTA bus in West Philadelphia has been captured following a coordinated effort by the U.S. Marshals. In early October, three women were injured when the suspect allegedly fired multiple bullets shortly after exiting the bus on South 57th Street. The arrest occurred at an apartment complex in Middletown, Delaware. According to 6abc, Raphael Ezeamaka faces charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and more.
Authorities captured Ezeamaka yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia detailed in their post on X.
@USMS_Philly along with members of the U.S. Marshals Delaware Fugitive Task Force have just captured Raphael Ezeamaka at an apartment complex in Middletown, DE. Ezeamaka was wanted by @PhillyPolice for shooting 3 women after exiting a Philadelphia Septa bus on October 8th. pic.twitter.com/kR5UZyw7oE
— U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia (@USMS_Philly) October 23, 2024
According to CBS News Philadelphia, the arrest was made at an apartment near Ramuno and Rosie drives, where Ezeamaka initially attempted to evade apprehension by trying to flee from a second-story balcony but was eventually found in a bedroom, the U.S. Marshals Service pointed out.
Ezeamaka was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Delaware Fugitive Task Force, with help from Philadelphia and Wilmington marshals. Officials stated that their joint efforts led to locating the suspect, who is charged with the violent incident earlier this month. The shooting injured three women—aged 29, 56, and 60—all of whom are stable and expected to recover. Ezeamaka is currently held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution and will be extradited to Philadelphia to face charges.
FOX 29 reports that the arrest took place at an apartment on the 400 block of Ramunno Drive. No incidents occurred during the arrest, despite an initial attempt to evade capture. The investigation into the shooting continues as the legal process against Ezeamaka moves forward.
