Shooting on SEPTA bus in North Philly leaves 17-year-old in critical condition

A gunman fired shots inside a crowded SEPTA bus in North Philly Friday night, leaving a 17-year-old boy in critical condition and prompting a police chase in which authorities arrested a suspect.

The shooting happened near North 3rd Street and West Allegheny Avenue at 6:16 p.m. There were approximately 30 people on the bus during the incident, and investigators believe the 17-year-old, who was in the back of the bus, was the only person shot; They also believe he was the intended target.

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A private vehicle took the 17-year-old to Temple University Hospital in “extremely critical condition.” Officers on scene found at least one spent bullet casing and blood on the floor of the bus. They also recovered a gun near 4th Street and Allegheny Avenue and found four spent shell casings in the area.

The bus itself had bullet holes. Police said the shooting occurred inside the bus, but shots could have been fired from outside. The bus was disabled in the shooting and authorities say SEPTA engineers are working to get the bus back in working order to recover video footage.

Police learned that one or more of the suspects involved in the shooting may have fled in a silver Kia. They then found a car matching the description and traveling at a high rate of speed and pursued it.

The speeding car crashed into a parked vehicle at 5th Street and Greenwood Avenue. The driver got out of the car and fled, but police arrested the suspect. Another person wearing a black puffy jacket also got out of the car and ran away, leaving the jacket behind and eluding authorities.

The suspect remains at large as the incident remains under investigation.