Two 18-year-old men have been arrested in connection with last week’s mass shooting at a SEPTA bus stop in Philadelphia, authorities said Monday.
The two 18-year-olds face charges of criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, and conspiracy, according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
Three masked shooters exited a car parked at the bus stop around 3 p.m. Wednesday and shot more than 30 rounds at high school students attempting to board the bus, according to Philadelphia police.
Eight teenagers (ages 15 to 17) were shot, with two in severe condition, according to police. Police reported that one of the teenagers was shot nine times. The victim has subsequently been “upgraded [at the hospital] and is talking,” police stated on Monday.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel described it as a “heinous crime.”
Police say a fourth suspect stayed in the car during the incident.
Bethel stated that one officer’s tourniquet application could have saved a victim’s life.
Two of the four people suspected to be at the site have been apprehended, but two remain at large, police said Monday.
“We’re not done,” Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore stated at a press conference. “We have other individuals to contact. We know who they are, and we will continue with our inquiry.”
“If you are in any way a witness to what occurred here, please reach out to the Philadelphia Police Department immediately,” Krasner said in a statement. “If you are involved, then get smart—turn yourself in.”
Police said they retrieved a fully loaded gun that matched many casings from the shooting scene. 40-caliber Glock 22 pistol with an extended magazine.
“There were also laser sights on it. And it had a Glock switch, which made the pistol fully automatic—it was a machine gun,” Vanore explained.
Mayor Cherelle Parker addressed Philadelphia citizens at the news conference, saying, “I’ve heard you say you’re fearful and apprehensive about riding SEPTA. You have informed me that you are concerned about going to work, school, or the store.”
“To the people of our city: We want you to know that we are unapologetic about engaging every partner available to assist us,” she added in a statement. “Every partner who is needed to assist our Philadelphia Police Department and work in partnership with them to get answers and to assure that folks are held accountable for their actions, they will work together to get it done.”
According to Philadelphia ABC affiliate WPVI, all eight victims attended Northeast High School.
The mayor stated, “We just finished a meeting with the principal of Northeast High School, and he told me, ‘Although our city and those children’s lives were shattered last week, we will not be broken.'” “And we will not.”
According to WPVI, the mass shooting was the latest in a wave of gun violence in Philadelphia and the fourth to occur on a local SEPTA bus in a week.
