Suspect sought after 16-year-old boy fatally shot in Upper Darby Twp.: police

Search for suspect underway after 16-year-old fatally shot in Upper Darby

Police are asking for the public's help to identify a teen suspect accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy in Upper Darby Township.

UPPER DARBY TWP., Pa. - An investigation is underway after police say a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in Upper Darby Township Sunday. 

What we know:

According to the Upper Darby Police Department, a 16-year-old boy was fatally shot Sunday at approximately 2:58 p.m. 

Preliminary information indicates that the victim and another male juvenile were arguing, which then led to the suspect shooting the 16-year-old in his lower back. 

The victim was taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Dig deeper:

Upper Darby Township Police identified the victim as Khalief Webster, 16, a sophomore at Upper Darby High School.

"I met with the family today, to say that the family is distraught is an understatement," said Superintendent Tim Bernhardt. "To the coward that pulled the trigger, not only did you shatter a family, you shattered this community, you can run, you can try to hide, but we’re going to catch you."

Police say they believe Webster was riding on his motorized scooter, down Pine Street, when he encountered the alleged shooter, who investigators believe is also a teenager, at the intersection of Pine Street and Long Lane just before 3 p.m. Police believe there was a heated conversation, followed by a gunshot, and the alleged shooter running away.

Hope Cook says she heard the gunshots and ran outside to find her neighbor, Webster, on the ground.

"I went over and grabbed his shoulder and arm and held his arm and said, ‘It’s going to be OK.’ To find out a few hours later that he had passed away, it was another kid, it was another kid that shot him, it’s crazy, that’s two lives gone," she says. "I couldn’t sleep last night, I’m a nervous wreck today, I came and put flowers out here, awful."

A letter sent home from Upper Darby School District Superintendent said in part: "Please join me in keeping all involved in your thoughts and prayers. We will have district resources available in our schools on Monday, May 19, 2025, for our staff and students who may need to speak with someone from our pupil services team."

"The guns, the guns have got to stop, I don’t have the answer, I wish I did to why these young kids are attracted to guns," said Superintendent Bernhardt. "This is always the end result, and there’s no coming back from it, there’s no do-over."

What you can do:

Police released images and a video of the suspect fleeing the scene after the shooting. 

They are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect. 

All tips can remain anonymous and can be submitted through our social media channels or by calling 610-734-7693.

What's next:

Police say they are in touch with the district. At this time, they do not have a clear motive or any knowledge that Webster knew the shooter or planned to meet him.