PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two suspects accused of shooting a teenager on a SEPTA platform last month are now facing murder charges after he died from his injuries.
Tyshaun Welles, 16, died nearly one week after he was shot in the head while waiting for a train on the westbound platform of 15th Street Station on Jan. 11.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is upgrading charges from aggravated assault to murder for 18-year-old Quadir Humphrey and 16-year-old Zaire Wilson. They are also charged with conspiracy and other related offenses.
Witnesses told police they saw two people talking at the end of the platform around 9:30 p.m. when one of them pulled a gun and fired into a crowd of people, striking Welles. Both suspects were arrested after the shooting.
There were SEPTA police officers in the area, but officials say shots rang out before there was time to act.
It is not clear if the suspects shared words with Welles before he was shot or if he was the intended target. Welles’ mother, Racquel Bango, 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.”
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.