The shooting occurred around 6:30 pm (local time) near the intersection of 33rd Street and Girard Avenue, not far from the Philadelphia Zoo, reported CBS News. About 30 passengers were on board when a male suspect, described as being in his 40s, opened fire inside the bus.
According to Philadelphia police inspector DF Pace, the shooter was seated in the middle of the bus when he turned around and fired toward the back, hitting a group of teenagers. “One was shot in the back, one was shot in the hand and one was shot in the foot,” Pace confirmed, adding that a 39-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet and treated at the scene.
All victims are currently in stable condition.
Pace was quoted by NBC Philadelphia as saying that the shooter fled the scene after the incident. “You can imagine a very closed and close space, and you have something like this happen, it’s very traumatic for all concerned,” he said.
A witness told police the teens may have been “rowdy,” but the exact motive remains unknown. Authorities said the suspect pulled a gun from his bag before firing and then escaped on foot.
SEPTA buses are equipped with multiple surveillance cameras, and investigators are currently reviewing video footage to identify the gunman.
“This was an extremely frightening incident for our customers and the SEPTA bus operator,” a SEPTA spokesperson was quoted as saying by CBS News, adding that their police force is working closely with city detectives.
Inspector Pace acknowledged recent efforts to reduce gun violence but admitted such incidents still shake public confidence. “Violence in any form is unacceptable,” he said. “We’re doing absolutely everything we can as a police department to ensure the public safety of those riding our public transportation.”
Frequent passenger Dasha Sukhova expressed her shock and said, “It sounds like something impossible that would happen to you. I don’t want to think about it.”
She added that she’s now reconsidering her regular commute on SEPTA.
No arrests have been made as of Sunday. Police continue to search for the suspect.
