Two 18-year-olds charged with SEPTA bus stop shooting that injured 8 Northeast High students

Police have arrested two suspects tied to the shooting of eight teenagers who were waiting to board a SEPTA bus in Northeast Philadelphia last week, investigators said. 

Jamaal Tucker and Ahnile Buggs, both 18, were identified Monday afternoon as two of the four suspects linked to Wednesday’s shooting near the intersection of Cottman and Rising Sun avenues in the Burlhome neighborhood. Three gunmen fired more than 30 shots at a group of people at the bus stop and then fled in a stolen vehicle driven by a fourth person, investigators said. All of the injured victims are students at Northeast High School. 

Tucker surrendered to Philadelphia police on Friday, police said. Investigators were able to identify him using evidence gathered from the stolen, dark blue Hyundai Sonata that was shown in surveillance video from the shooting. The car had been recovered Wednesday night, hours after the shooting, police said.  

Buggs was arrested Saturday after police and U.S. Marshals served search warrants on multiple properties. Buggs allegedly had a 40-caliber Glock 22 handgun with an extended magazine and a “switch” that turned the weapon into a fully automatic firearm, investigators said. Ballistics evidence collected from the shooting scene matched the same gun, police said. 

Two other suspects remain at large, and police said more could face charges if investigators determine others had roles in orchestrating the shooting. 

Tucker and Buggs each are charged with multiple of counts of attempted murder, aggravated assaulted, conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person. Buggs faces additional weapons charges, and Tucker has been charged separately with receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to court documents. 

Authorities shared few other details about the ongoing investigation into the shooting but suggested they are examining wider connections that it may have to other crimes in the city. 

“We are not done until any group involved in this kind of conduct is done — until they do not exist anymore,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “And that is exactly where this investigation needs to go. It’s not about a single incident. It’s about every other incident that has any connection to it.”

The shooting was one of several last week that involved SEPTA buses. Another shooting at a bus stop near Broad Street and Godfrey Avenue in Ogontz left a 17-year-old boy dead and four others injured. Police are still searching for the two gunmen in that shooting, but have not said whether there is evidence connecting that shooting with the one in Burholme. 

“We are not ready to commit to that,” Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. “We are working through this investigation now. We believe there may be (a connection), but we still have a lot of work to do.” 

On Friday, police said a second stolen vehicle — a gray Kia Sportage — appears to be linked to the shooting in Burholme. The Kia was found parked where the Hyundai used in the shooting had been initially reported stolen. Police believe the suspects left the Kia and then stole the Hyundai used in the shooting. Both cars are being held as evidence, authorities said. 

Surveillance video from the shooting last Wednesday shows three suspects emerging from the Hyundai, which was parked in the Dunkin’ Donuts lot near the intersection. After the shooting, the suspects can be seen getting back into the car, which fled the scene. 

On Monday, Northeast High School’s 11th and 12th grade students were back at the school for the first time since the shooting. Classes had been virtually on Thursday and Friday. Those students will have virtual learning again Tuesday as the ninth and 10th grade students return to the building. The phased return is allowing “more small group and individualized support,” the school said in a statement. Crisis counselors will remain at the school to provide emotional support to the Northeast High community.

Philadelphia police and school safety officers plan to maintain a visible presence in the area around Northeast High and nearby bus routes. 

Eleven teenagers were struck in the two shootings that occurred in Burholme and Ogontz last week.

“Gun violence doesn’t just leave physical scars,” Bethel said. “It tears at the fabric of our community — impacts our schools, impacts our families, and leaves a ripple effect of fear and trauma.”