Law enforcement officials have released images of the individual believed to be responsible for the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy that happened on a SEPTA platform in West Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon.
The color of the gun police say the person brandished in the attack could help track the suspect down.
Investigators said the search was underway for three individuals believed to be involved in this shooting that left Wort Whipple dead. On Sunday, police released images of the individual believed to have pulled the trigger in this incident.
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The individual is sought after the 14-year-old boy was shot at about 2:10 p.m. Saturday on SEPTA’s westbound Market-Frankford Line platform at 5200 Market Street, officials said. Whipple -- who was from the Frankford neighborhood -- died a short time later, Philadelphia police said.
As shown in these images, the individual believed to be responsible for the shooting can be seen wearing a black facemask and a black hoodie. SEPTA officials said this individual was also carrying a lime-green firearm.
All three people believed to be involved in the deadly shooting were reportedly last seen fleeing westbound on Market Street after the incident, investigators said.
Gun Violence Targets City's Youth
Gun violence targeting children continues to rattle Philadelphia. According to the most recent shooting data from the City Controller's Office, children have made up about 10% of Philadelphia's more than 620 shooting victims so far this year.
It wasn't known what school Whipple attended. Since the start of the school year in August, at least 145 public school students have been victims of violence and at least 25 have died, the school district said last week. Both those numbers are up from the same time last school year.
To date, at least 151 homicides have occurred in Philadelphia, according to Philadelphia police data. That's down about 14% from the same date last year, but still on pace to be one of the deadliest years on record in the city.
Anyone who may have information on this incident is asked to contact call SEPTA Police at (215) 580-8111 or Philadelphia Police by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS (8477).
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
