Teen fatally shot on SEPTA bus in West Philadelphia

DREXEL HILL, Penn. (WPHL) — A 15-year-old boy is dead following a shooting on a Septa bus Saturday afternoon in West Philadelphia, and police said they are still searching for the shooter.

Police identified the boy as Zahir Whitfield, according to Action News at 10. Detectives said Whitfield was one of five to six other boys who got into a fight on the bus around 1:20 p.m. When the bus stopped at 40th and Girard Avenue, one of the teens got off at the back of the bus and fired a single shot, hitting the boy in the chest. 

When officers arrived at the scene, they found Whitfield suffering from a gunshot wound and rushed him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after.

Police said the shooter is still on the run, but a Septa spokesperson told the Philadelphia Inquirer that investigators have a clear picture of the suspect from surveillance footage captured by cameras onboard and mounted on the outside of the bus.

Philadelphia police are offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and a conviction.

Whitfield was a student at Upper Darby High School as confirmed in a statement released by the school district. Administrators said grief counselors will be on campus on Monday for students having for copy with the loss of their classmate.


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