Teen killed after shots fired into SEPTA bus following fight, Philadelphia police say
A teenage boy was killed after he was shot following a fight aboard a SEPTA bus in West Philadelphia Saturday afternoon, according to police. Upper Darby police identified the teen Monday as Zahkir Whitfield, a 10th grade student at Upper Darby High School.
Philadelphia police initially said a group of five to six juveniles broke out into a physical fight at the back of a SEPTA bus around 1 p.m. on March 22. A SEPTA spokesperson later said the fight was between two males on the Route G bus along the Route 15 trolley lines at 40th Street and Girard Avenue.
The SEPTA driver then stopped the bus, and at least one of the juveniles exited out the back door, police said.
Investigators said the juvenile fired a single shot back into the bus, which hit the 15-year-old in the chest. The teen was brought to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just after 1:15 p.m.
No one else on the bus was injured, the SEPTA spokesperson said.
Authorities have not made any arrests in the case. The Homicide Unit and SEPTA police are still investigating the incident.
Philadelphia police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Tips can be called into Philadelphia police at 215-686-3334.
In a statement, Edward Marshaleck, the Upper Darby School District's assistant superintendent of student services, said the district will provide resources for staff and students at its schools Monday.
