PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 16-year-old boy was found fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle near Temple University’s campus Monday evening. Police are searching for three teens wanted in connection with the deadly shooting.
Around 5:15 p.m., officials said 16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate and another boy walked into the restaurant on the corner of 12th Street and Montgomery Avenue. The two asked for a bathroom key, then entered the bathroom together.
It’s not clear what unfolded, but police said Smith-Tate was shot in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene; one shell casing was found in the bathroom.
No one else was injured.
Police initially said one person was taken into custody, but no one was arrested or charged. Investigators now say they are trying to find three boys who are possible suspects, likely between the ages of 16 and 17.
Smith-Tate lived about a mile away, on North Hutchinson Street. The Philadelphia School District said he was a charter school student.
Monday marked the first day of the spring semester at Temple University. The Chipotle is located on the street level of a student high-rise apartment, adjacent to Temple’s campus. Students were advised to avoid the area as officials investigated that night.
In a joint statement, Temple President John Fry and Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety and chief of police, said, “The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy and there are no words that can make sense of it. … This is of course deeply upsetting and took place adjacent to our campus in a commercial establishment. We encourage students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department tip line at 215-686-8477.