PHILADELPHIA — A teenage boy is dead after being shot in the chest inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday evening, according to the police department.
The shooting happened just after 5 p.m. on Jan. 12 inside the Chipotle at North 12 Street and Montgomery Avenue, police said.
When officers got to the scene, they found a 16-year-old boy inside the restaurant’s bathroom with a gunshot wound to the chest as well as one spent shell casing, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small reported.
The boy was pronounced dead by medics at the scene around 5:24 p.m., Small said.
According to Small, the 16-year-old was in the Chipotle with at least two other people when he asked for the key to the bathroom.
The teen and one other person were then seen on surveillance cameras going into the bathroom, Small explained. Moments later, employees found the teen suffering from the gunshot wound.
At the time of the shooting, the restaurant was busy with customers and employees during the dinner rush, Small said. The people who were there are being interviewed as witnesses.
A person of interest was taken into custody nearby but it’s not clear if they are being considered as a suspect or as a witness, Small said.
Police said that the last known address for the teen is just eight blocks away from where the shooting happened.
Students at Temple University were being warned to avoid the area of campus near where the shooting happened because of the police activity there.
Monday marks the first day of the spring semester at Temple University.
The Temple University Police Department is working with the Philadelphia Police Department during this investigation, according to a spokesperson for the school.
As of Monday night, police do not have a motive for this shooting.
If you have any information, please contact the Philadelphia Police Department’s tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
On Monday night, Chipotle also provided a comment to NBC Philadelphia about the shooting, saying: “We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at our restaurant on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in Philadelphia and we hope the individuals responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority.
"We are cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department, and the restaurant will remain closed while we assist with their investigation. We are offering the services of a professional counselor to all our employees at the restaurant. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS.”
