PHILADELPHIA — A Monday afternoon shooting inside a North Philadelphia restaurant has left a 16-year-old boy dead and sparked an intense homicide investigation. Police say the fatal shooting happened inside a Chipotle restaurant on the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, a busy area where customers and employees were present at the time.
According to Philadelphia police, officers were dispatched to the restaurant around 5:15 p.m. after receiving reports of a person with a gun. When officers arrived, they rushed inside and discovered a juvenile male inside the restaurant’s bathroom suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics responded quickly, but the teen was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 5:24 p.m.
Authorities later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, 16, of the 2500 block of North Hutchinson Street. His death has sent shockwaves through the community, especially given his young age and the public location of the shooting. Police have not released information about what Smith-Tate was doing at the restaurant before the shooting or whether he was targeted.
Investigators say no motive has been determined and no arrests have been made. The Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit has taken over the case and is actively working to identify and locate multiple suspects believed to be connected to the shooting. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from the restaurant and surrounding businesses as part of their investigation.
Police released descriptions of three possible suspects, all believed to be Black males between 16 and 17 years old. The first suspect is described as having dreadlocks and wearing a black coat, pink hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and black sneakers, while carrying a red backpack. The second suspect was described as wearing a black coat, black jeans, black sneakers, and carrying a black backpack. The third suspect reportedly has dreadlocks and was wearing a black coat, blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants, black sneakers, and carrying a dark-colored backpack.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting or the suspects to come forward. Tips can be shared by contacting the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or by submitting an anonymous tip at 215-686-TIPS. Police said a reward of up to $20,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. As the investigation continues, community members are left mourning the loss of a teenager whose life was cut short by gun violence inside a place meant for everyday meals.
