14-Year-Old Boy Shot 18 Times While Waiting For Bus To School, Two Suspects Arrested

A 14-year-old boy was chased and shot 18 times in North Philadelphia Monday, Nov. 29. while he waited for a bus to school.

At around 3:30 p.m. Monday, Samir Jefferson was waiting for a SEPTA bus outside a Rite Aid store on the corner of Rising Sun and Wyoming avenues in the Feltonville neighborhood when multiple gunmen exited a vehicle, approached him, and opened fire.

"A vehicle, maybe two, pull up. Two males get out and start shooting at him, chasing him," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.

According to the police, the gunmen fired at least 36 shots from two semi-automatic weapons. Jefferson collapsed on the sidewalk after he was shot 18 times throughout his body.

The teen was rushed to the Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead just after 4 p.m.

"We believe he is a student at a nearby high school," Small said.

Surveillance video and an eyewitness helped police track down two male suspects involved in the shooting.

The police have arrested 26-year-old Qadir Johnson, and 21-year-old Kyair Garnett, on charges of murder, conspiracy, violation of the uniform firearms act, possession of an instrument of crime, reckless endangerment, tampering with evidence, and other related offenses.

Garnett is facing additional charges of stolen property and unauthorized use of automobiles.

Investigators said they are obtaining arrest warrants for three other men who are believed to be involved in Jefferson's death.

"They know who they are. I don't know what they're doing to try to hide their way or prevent them from being arrested," Deputy Commissioner Ben Naish said.

The police are yet to reveal the motive behind the killing. However, a source told Action News that Jefferson may have been murdered because of taunts on social media.

"We don't have an answer at this point until, and perhaps unless, one of the individuals responsible for that shooting is going to tell us why in the world three 20-something-year-old individuals would track down and shoot an unarmed and defenseless 14-year-old. We have no specific direction at this point. We're exploring all possible options," said Naish.

Jefferson's sister, who did not wish to be named, said her family is heartbroken as her mother "lost her youngest son."

"It's really not going to be the same without my little brother because he brought joy to our family," she said.