PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — U.S. marshals in Virginia on Tuesday caught the fourth suspect wanted in connection with the March 6 mass shooting in Burholme. They say he was hiding in an Alexandria apartment with a woman who has ties to Philadelphia.
Asir Boone, 17, of Germantown is the last of four suspects to be apprehended. They are accused of firing into a crowd of people at a SEPTA bus stop near Cottman and Rising Sun avenues that day, that injured eight Northeast High School students.
Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark said marshals and Philadelphia police officers had made an arrest attempt on March 12 and made contact with Boone's family. Clark said he gave them an ultimatum: "Turn your son in by tomorrow morning. If he does not turn himself in, we will be releasing his identity to the city of Philadelphia and most likely offering an award from the U.S. Marshal Service."
The USMS issued a $5,000 reward the following day for information leading to his arrest.
The hunt for Boone continued until 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, when investigators from USMS found the boy hiding out in an apartment in Alexandria, Virginia. Boone was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Alexandria Police Department for processing.
"I hope this final arrest brings some comfort to the student victims of this senseless crime," Clark said. "No child should have to fear for their safety while receiving an education, and I hope these arrests can subside that fear."
Tips lead to arrests
Police said tips from the public were instrumental in helping lead to the suspects. They also pulled forensic evidence from the getaway car used in the shooting, a blue Hyundai Sonata, which police say was stolen. That led investigators to Jamaal Tucker, 18.
Police say Tucker was the driver who transported all three shooters to and from the bus stop. He surrendered to police on March 8. He is being held on $16.1 million bail.
Then, when serving the search and arrest warrants that led to the arrest of 18-year-old Ahnile Buggs on March 9, detectives found a fully automatic gun with an extended magazine that they believed was used in the shooting. Buggs is being held on $16 million bail.
Marshals took Jermahd Carter, 19, into custody on March 12. Unlike Tucker and Buggs, he has no prior criminal record. He is being held on $4 million bail.
All four young men are facing some very serious charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy and gun charges, as well as other related offenses.
Officials believe the mass shooting in the Northeast may be connected to a shooting in Ogontz two days prior, when 17-year-old Dayemon Taylor was killed boarding a SEPTA bus after school and four others were injured. No one has been arrested for that shooting, but police on Monday released surveillance images of two suspects wanted in connection with that shooting.