Another act of gun violence has occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, already dealing with an uptick in such incidents. On the afternoon of March 6, 2024, a bus stop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) located on Rising Sun Avenue’s 7300 block turned into a scene of chaos. Northeast High School students waiting for their bus were caught in a hail of more than 30 bullets.
Emerging from a car, four gunmen opened fire on the unsuspecting youths, injuring eight, including seven boys and one girl, ages 15 to 17. The most severely injured, a 16-year-old male, received nine gunshot wounds to his torso, leaving him in critical condition; he is now stable.
Two of the suspects are now in custody, Jamaal Tucker, 18, turned himself in on Friday and Ahnile Buggs, 18, was arrested on Saturday. They are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, and other crimes, according to District Attorney Larry Krasner.
This incident was the fourth in a string of violent events involving a SEPTA bus over four days, resulting in three deaths and over a dozen injuries. Among the victims, 11 were young people.
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, when addressing the press, emphasized the determination of the investigation and requested community assistance. Vanore’s statement underlined the broader issue of safety in the city, particularly concerning the youth, given the recent spike in gun violence around SEPTA properties.
The city’s officials and law enforcement have promptly responded. They recovered a blue 2018 Hyundai Sonata, suspected to be the vehicle used by the gunmen, in a dark alley on West Fern Street’s 400 block in the Olney neighborhood. This car, stolen earlier from the city’s 7th district, is now a key piece of evidence. It could link this act to a larger pattern of retaliatory violence, including the murder of 17-year-old Dayemen Taylor on March 5.
The impact of such violence extends beyond physical harm. Northeast High School has transitioned to remote learning for the week, offering trauma counseling to students and staff. This measure is part of the School District of Philadelphia’s broader commitment to support its grieving and shocked community. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel highlighted the significant trauma inflicted on the young victims and the broader school community, emphasizing the lasting effects of such incidents on the mental health of young people.
With assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the investigation continues. Authorities are analyzing surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and social media activity to identify more culprits. The effort aims not only to bring the perpetrators to justice but also to understand the underlying causes of such violence, which imperils the community’s fabric.
As Philadelphia grapples with this recent act of violence, Deputy Chief of Prevention, Intervention, and Trauma, Dr. Jayme Banks, underscored the importance of community support: “We have to make sure that we support the whole community. Everyone has a different processing speed, so we’re just making sure we uplift and make available support and give them that time to process these events.”
