Last updated on March 5, 12:40 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A 17-year-old boy is dead and four others, including two teens, are wounded after a shooting at a bus stop in Ogontz Monday afternoon. Investigators believe it was a targeted attack by two shooters, who remain at large.
Just before 4 p.m., police said a group of about 15 to 20 school-aged kids were standing at a bus stop across from a day care at Ogontz and Godfrey avenues when two people started firing.
“The bus is stopped, people are starting to board the bus, and that’s when we have two individuals come up and start to fire,” said Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.
A 17-year-old standing at the stop was struck multiple times and died. Police believe it was a targeted attack.
Shots then flew through the windows of a Route 6 SEPTA bus, hitting two women inside, ages 50 and 71. The 71-year-old passenger was shot in the forehead; the 50-year-old was hit in the arm. They were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition.
Police said a 15-year-old boy running down the street at the time of the shooting was grazed in the shoulder. Another boy, age 14, was dropped off in a private vehicle at a hospital with a graze wound to the buttocks. Both teens are in stable condition.
The 17-year-old victim was later identified as Dayemen Taylor. The head of Imhotep Institute Charter High School told NBC10 that two of their students were victims, including Taylor.
As awful as this incident was, Bethel said there could have easily been more victims. He said it was fortunate that no one else was hit by shots flying throughout the busy intersection. He credited the bus driver for leaving the area as quickly as possible.
“How busy this intersection is — day care across the street and multiple people on the bus and multiple rounds being fired — it could have been much worse,” he said.
Police have not released descriptions of the shooters or a motive. As of now, no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is asking for the public’s help with identifying the suspects.
“Anyone who has information on the whereabouts, the identities, the circumstances of this shooting, we ask that you contact the Philadelphia Police Homicide Division at 215-686-3334,” Krasner urged. “This is a very active investigation … and very intense work going on to solve this crime.”