PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have arrested a Philadelphia man who they say targeted SEPTA bus riders, seemingly at random, killing three men he didn’t know.
Derick Jones, 21, has been charged with murder. He is suspected of killing 20-year-old Zamir Syrus in June and, a week ago, gunning down Tyheim Tucker, 21, and Justin Smith, 20, on their way home from work.
“This is a total random act of violence,” said Philadelphia Police Department Homicide Captain Jason Smith during a press conference Friday morning. “We may never get to the bottom of and uncover why.”
Smith says Jones killed Syrus on June 28, around 10:30 p.m. He said Jones rode a SEPTA bus along Broad Street and followed Syrus as he got off the bus. Near Chelten Avenue, Jones shot Syrus several times, according to police.
Nine days later, on July 7, Smith says, Jones did the same to best friends Tucker and Smith (no relation). He said the pair were coming home from work and took a SEPTA bus to 68th Street and Ogontz Avenue, near their homes.
The two lived next door to each other.
Jones walked northbound on 68th Street through a rear driveway to catch up with the two, according to Smith. Then, when they walked past on 68th Street, he opened fire on them, hitting each man several times.
Smith says there is no relationship between Jones and the victims.
“You really got to be on your toes these days, don’t ya? You have to be aware of your surroundings, aware of who is around you,” Smith said. “There weren’t any signs or indications — there weren’t any precursors to these violent acts. Mr. Jones didn’t have an altercation, a verbal altercation, there was no bad, hard looks between any of the parties that we are aware of, so why Mr. Jones chose these three individuals is really the burning question. Why?”
Officers arrested Jones on Thursday, at his apartment in West Oak Lane. Inside, they say, they found the gun that was used, an extended magazine and more ammunition.
By FBI standards, Smith said, Jones can be considered a serial killer: “The unlawful killing of two or more victims by the same offenders in separate incidents.”
Police are now looking into whether Jones did this before these three incidents, and they ask anyone with information about him to call them or send a tip via text message to 215-686-8477, or email them at tips@phillypolice.com.
The families are holding a joint funeral for Smith and Tucker on Monday morning.
During a phone call Friday afternoon, the Smith family recalled the bond between their son and brother, and Tucker.
The two friends grew up together, went to the same middle school, played football, basketball and baseball together. They both loved to dance. And, the family says, they loved to play video games, recalling both could be heard yelling at each other through their headsets, even though they lived next door to each other.
Smith, described as a quiet, peaceful person, was working as a valet. His family says he dreamed of traveling the world one day.
Smith's sister has set up a GoFundMe page to pay for funeral expenses and to support her family.
Editor’s update, July 3, 2024
In April 2024, Derrick Jones pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and gun offenses in an open deal with prosecutors. He was sentenced to 20 to 40 years behind bars.