In a tragic incident, a Pennsylvania woman faces charges of murder following the shooting and killing of a Philadelphia bus driver. The victim, Bernard Gribbin, a 48-year-old SEPTA bus driver with a long-standing service record, lost his life after being shot six times in the torso and throat while operating a Route 23 bus in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
The fatal event occurred at 10:27 a.m. on a Thursday when the bus stopped at 4600 Germantown Ave. Surveillance footage captured a woman exiting the bus, brandishing a firearm, and opening fire. Interim First Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore described the sequence, stating that she fired a shot at the bus driver, re-entered the bus, and fired again.
The video suggests that she got on and off the bus multiple times.
Witnesses initially struggled to comprehend the unfolding situation. Bystanders near the scene heard the initial gunshot, mistaking it for a different noise, and then realized it was gunshots.
Passengers on the bus reacted swiftly, attempting to escape by jumping out of windows and emergency exits. Fortunately, no other passengers or bystanders were injured by the gunfire.
The suspect fled the scene and walked several blocks before being apprehended by plainclothes SEPTA Police at Greene Street and Queen Avenue. Notably, the firearm used in the incident was not recovered.
On the following day, Zhontay Capers, a 21-year-old, was arrested and charged with murder, Violation of the Uniform Firearms Act, and related offenses.
Bernard Gribbin was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center but, sadly, succumbed to his injuries, with his death confirmed at 10:36 a.m.
The tragedy deeply affected the SEPTA community, with SEPTA Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Lawson expressing their shock at the incident. Colleagues remembered Gribbin as an excellent employee, friend, and family member who will be dearly missed. Gribbin had just returned to work after being ill when he was fatally shot.
In a heartfelt tribute, SEPTA employees gathered to honor Gribbin's life at the SEPTA Midvale Depot. His co-workers remembered him for his helpfulness, reliability, and positive outlook.
Capers, the suspect, is currently without legal representation. It's worth noting that several days after the shooting, her family extended their condolences to the Gribbin family, revealing that she was undergoing a "mental health crisis" at the time of the incident. Authorities continue to investigate the case, with the motive behind the tragic shooting yet to be disclosed.
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