Train Jumper Wanted for Murder of Ex-Wife's Boyfriend

The man who jumped in front of a SEPTA train this morning in Jenkintown was a suspect in the murder of his ex-wife's boyfriend in Elmira, New York

Thomas W. Borden, the Bucks County man who jumped in front of a SEPTA train this morning, ending a police chase, a school lockdown and ultimately his life in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, Pa., was wanted for the murder of his ex-wife's boyfriend, according to neighbors of the victim. He was also wanted by the Bucks County Sheriff's office for a parole violation.

Investigators in Schuyler County, New York, issued a homicide warrant just today for Borden. He was accused of shooting Daniel K. Bennett, 31, to death in Bennett's home last Thursday night. Bennett lived in Dix, according to the Star Gazette.

Bennett was the boyfriend of Borden's ex-wife, neighbors tell the NBC television station in Elmira, New York, WETM-TV.

The story began to unfold this morning when Montgomery Township police spotted Borden [pictured left] driving "at an extremely high rate of speed" on Route 309. He was in a blue/tan Ford Pickup truck. They pursued him, but lost him. This was shortly after 10 a.m. An officer in Jenkintown saw the truck but couldn't get to it in traffic. Assuming the suspect had the same traffic he did, the officer started searching to area and found Borden's truck abandoned in the parking lot of the Jenkintown Grade School at Florence Avenue and West Avenue. Jenkintown schools went quickly into lockdown mode.

Then, officers saw Borden, 32, walking about a mile away from where he ditched his pickup. They stopped him and Borden gave them a false name, officers say. When they continued to question him, Borden bolted on foot and ran onto the SEPTA train tracks in between the Noble and Jenkintown stations.

Police ran down the tracks chasing Borden, when he purposely jumped in front of a train coming in the opposite direction, police say.

Borden survived the initial impact but died at Abington Memorial Hospital.

The school lockdown was lifted around 10:50 a.m.


Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBC10.com anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, our mobile site and NBC Philadelphia. Sign up for our breaking news newsletter. And, get breaking news delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIBREAKING to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
 

Contact Us