PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The 16-year-old boy allegedly shot by another teen right in front of three SEPTA transit police officers on a Market-Frankford Line subway platform last week has died from his injuries, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that Tyshaun Welles, of Northeast Philadelphia, who was shot in the head Thursday around 9:30 p.m. on the westbound platform of the 15th Street subway station, was officially pronounced dead on Tuesday.
Quadir Humphrey, 18, and Zaire Wilson, 16, have both been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, conspiracy and related offenses.
They are currently held at the Juvenile Justice Services Center. Charges are expected to be upgraded now that Welles has died. The District Attorney's Office has not stated anything publicly on that matter.
Police say the shooting may have stemmed from a disturbance involving a large group of juveniles on the platform. Investigators say witnesses reported seeing two people later identified as Humphrey and Wilson talking to one another on the east end of that platform before one of them, believed to be Humphrey, pulled out a gun and fired into the crowd, striking Welles.
Police say both Wilson and Humphreys have criminal histories.
The investigation is continuing.
Grief-stricken mother speaks out
“I still feel like I’m dreaming, that it’s not reality,” said Racquel Bango. Welles was her oldest of seven children. She believes he was not the intended target.
“He was an innocent bystander,” she said. “He was a phenomenal teen. He didn’t get into trouble. He was responsible. This tragedy — I never thought I would have to deal with.”
Welles had just turned 16 in December. Bango said her son’s smile would light up a room. He was athletic and loved to dance.
“He’s a lovable boy,” she cried. “He didn’t deserve that. We didn’t deserve that.”
The family created a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses. Funeral arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
March 28, 2024 update:
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office withdrew charges against Zaire Wilson after evidence showed that he was not involved in the fatal shooting.