PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two separate shootings on SEPTA buses two days apart from each other are within the sights of investigators as they also try to get a grasp on a recent rash of youth-centered gun violence to hit the city.
Eleven teens have been shot in the last two weeks and four are facing attempted murder charges.
The March 4 shooting of 17-year-old Dayemon Taylor and four others in Ogontz is what police are attempting to link to the shooting of eight Northeast high school students two days later on March 6 in Burholme. Eighteen-year-olds Anhile Buggs and Jamaal Tucker and 19-year-old Jermahd Carter have been arrested for their alleged roles in the March 6 shooting and U.S. Marshals are still seeking 17-year-old Asir Boone.
Authorities also said other high-profile cases could be connected.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said police are working to link groups and gangs in the city.
“What we are seeing is groups that are putting themselves forward that don’t even have prior records, and that makes another challenge,” said Bethel.
He went on to say that social media also plays a major role as the breeding ground for the beef that bleeds into the real world with gunshots.
Many of our kids, our young people are on social media,” said Bethel. “Through beefs and doing things in that space and as a result, we are seeing a level of violence.”
The commissioner urged parents, teachers, and especially fellow kids who see that behavior to speak out before the violence plays out in real life.
“Just tell somebody, a trusted adult, who can then pass it on to us, so we can activate on that,” said Bethel. “Particularly where there is information that there is going to be a shooting. I mean, don’t hold that information.”