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2 teens charged in Center City SEPTA platform shooting that wounded 16-year-old boy

By and FOX 29 staff
Updated  January 12, 2024 12:14pm EST
Crime & Public Safety
FOX 29 Philadelphia

10th grade student shot on SEPTA platform did not appear to be targeted

A 10th grade student shot on a SEPTA Center City platform did not appear to engage with the shooters before he was shot.

CENTER CITY - Two teenagers were charged after a shooting that critically wounded another teen erupted inside a crowded Center City SEPTA station Thursday night. 

Investigators say the shooting happened when a large group of mostly teens crowded a westbound Market-Frankford Line platform at 15th and Market station.

Just before 9:30 p.m., investigators say gunfire rang out inside the station as a train was approaching the platform, which caused the crowd to panic and run. 

SEPTA Police Chief Chuck Lawson told reporters Friday that three transit police officers were on the platform when shots were fired.

"I had three transit police officers on the platform when this occurred, it didn't deter it," Lawson said.

A 16-year-old boy was found shot on the ground and taken by police to Jefferson Hospital where he was placed in critical condition, according to police. 

Teen suspect in SEPTA platform shooting was previously arrested twice: police

A 17-year-old accused of shooting another teen on a crowded SEPTA platform was arrested twice in the last two years for weapons crimes and driving a stolen car, Chief Chuck Lawson told reporters Friday.

Investigators used "high-quality surveillance video" from the transit system that captured two suspects, 16 and 17, allegedly involved in the shooting.

Both suspects were arrested shortly after the shooting, and police found a firearm in the station that is being processed for ballistic and forensic testing.

The 17-year-old alleged shooter and his 16-year-old accomplice were both charged with several crimes, including aggravated assault.

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Lawson said the accused shooter has been arrested twice in the last two years for a weapons offense and driving a stolen vehicle.

"Something has to give," Lawson said. "We gotta get our hands around pattern offenders in this city, the issue in this city is not first-time offenders." 

Lawson said investigators have not found any interaction to this point between the alleged shooter and the victim, leaving the motive for the shooting unknown.

"This could be anything at this point, it could be something that stemmed from neighborhood beef, we just don't know," Lawson said. 

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