Zhontay Capers, 21, is accused of fatally shooting Abington resident Bernard Gribbin, 48, while he was driving a SEPTA bus on the morning of Thursday, October 26.
Capers was arrested by plainclothes SEPTA police officers less than a mile from the scene of the shooting, officials said.
Police said Gribbin was shot six times in the chest and abdomen.
“She then fires a shot toward the bus driver, re-enters the bus and fires again. And from what we see in the video, and it’s very preliminary, it appears she gets on and off several times,” said Interim First Dep. Commissioner Frank Vanore.
Bilal El-Bedawi, a driver who was at the scene at the time of the shooting, told NBC10 that he heard the gunshots. An excerpt:
“I heard that first boom and I thought the ramp had just came down too fast, and then immediately after that, you heard consecutive boom, boom, boom,” he said. “My wife said, ‘those are gunshots.'”
El-Bedawi said he then saw riders fleeing from the bus’s side windows and emergency exits.
Capers then fled the scene on foot before she was captured by a plainclothes SEPTA Police officer at Greene Street and Queen Avenue, investigators said. A weapon has not been recovered however.
Police believe Capers targeted the bus driver but they have not yet revealed a possible motive.
According to the Daily Voice, Capers is also charged with firearms offenses, reckless endangerment, and related counts. Her bail was denied at her arraignment early Friday, October 27.
SEPTA released the following statement on safety:
“There is no higher priority for SEPTA than the safety and security of our employees and customers. SEPTA faces the same challenges with these issues as the communities we serve, and we need to continue working with all stakeholders on solutions. Input from the TWU and other SEPTA unions are crucial to this as we move forward.”
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney had this to say:
Appalled by the shooting death of a SEPTA employee today. I’m thankful that SEPTA police have quickly brought a person of interest into custody for to this terrible incident.
My thoughts are with the victim’s family, loved ones, and colleagues. https://t.co/SNhRtlCQnz
— Mayor Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) October 26, 2023
For CBS’ coverage, you can watch below:
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Photo Credit: Citizen App/Inset: Pennsylvania State Police via Daily Voice, NBC