PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A 16-year-old boy was found fatally shot inside a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University on Monday evening, and police are now looking for three other teens who may be connected to the shooting.
Police identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, who investigators say entered the Chipotle at 12th and Montgomery streets with three other teenagers shortly before 5:15 p.m.
Only three of the four walked out.
“He’s a kid. It’s terrifying,” said Cloud Mensah, a Temple freshman. “For it to happen in the first day of class so suddenly, you know kind of worry about the security.”
Philadelphia Police Inspector Scott Small said the restaurant was busy when the teens walked in.
“It was very noisy at the time, and there was even some music playing, but we’re not getting information that someone heard a gunshot,” Small said.
According to police sources, the teens asked employees for the bathroom code. Two went into one restroom while the other two went into another.
A short time later, three of the teenagers left the restaurant.
“Moments later, quickly thereafter, found the 16-year-old with a gunshot wound to his chest,” Small said. Police recovered a shell casing inside a trash can.
Sources told Action News they know the identities of the three other teenagers and are not seeking additional suspects. Detectives are still investigating what may have led to the shooting.
No one has been arrested at this point.
Students walking past the restaurant Tuesday said the killing shook them, but did not shock them.
“It was very sad and it was like a woah moment but it wasn’t surprising, unfortunately,” said junior Arden O’Dell.
Smith-Tate was a student at Imhotep Charter School. The district attorney’s office said it visited the school Tuesday to provide grief resources.
In a statement, Imhotep leaders said Smith-Tate “was caring, energetic, filled with school pride and comical. He was filled with light and love. We will always remember his smile.”
“As one can imagine, we are struggling today. Our collective hearts are hurting. But this community is resilient. Our love and our African-centered values will lead us through this tragedy,” the Imhotep statement continued.
Temple said the thoughts of the university are with the victim’s family and loved ones.
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy and there are no words that can make sense of it,” Temple’s statement reads.
“This is, of course, deeply upsetting and took place adjacent to our campus in a commercial establishment. We encourage students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services,” the statement continued.
Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.
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