Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A tragic shooting at a SEPTA subway platform that resulted in the death of a 16-year-old has left the community shaken. The gunman responsible for the shooting almost escaped but was quickly apprehended with the help of surveillance footage, according to prosecutors in court on Wednesday.
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Quadir Humphrey, fired into a crowd of young people outside a neighborhood youth organization, striking Tyshaun Welles in the head. Despite days of fighting for his life, Welles was pronounced brain-dead and his family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support on January 16.
During the court proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci presented multiple video clips showing the sequence of events on the fateful night. The footage depicted a group of over 20 teens gathered on the platform before chaos erupted with the sound of gunfire, causing the crowd to disperse. Welles was found motionless on the platform after the group scattered.
As the videos played, emotions ran high in the courtroom, with Welles’ mother, Racquel Clark, visibly distraught alongside friends and family members. The images of Humphrey being swiftly apprehended by transit police after the shooting painted a vivid picture of the chaotic scene on the subway platform.
SEPTA Police Sgt. Bryan Carney, who played a crucial role in identifying the suspect through surveillance cameras, testified confidently that there was no doubt about Humphrey being the shooter. Despite claims from Humphrey’s defense attorney that the shooting was a result of recklessness rather than intent to kill, prosecutors argued that such actions showed a blatant disregard for the lives of others.
Following Judge Patrick Dugan’s decision to hold Humphrey for trial on charges of homicide and aggravated assault, Welles’ mother urged for justice, emphasizing the devastating impact of her son’s untimely death. She called for Humphrey to face the consequences of his actions without leniency, highlighting the irrevocable loss her family has experienced.
As the case continues to unfold, the community grapples with the aftermath of the senseless violence that claimed the life of a promising young individual. The pursuit of justice for Tyshaun Welles serves as a poignant reminder of the need for accountability in the wake of tragedy.