SENSELESS SHOOTING AT SEPTA STATION

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Police are investigating a shooting at a major West Philadelphia transit hub in which a high school student was killed yesterday afternoon.

At around 13:30, police were dispatched to the SEPTA Market-Frankford El station at 52nd Street for a report of a shooting.  Michael Anthony Parker-Barham III, 17, a student at University City High School, was struck three times - in the chest, shoulder, and buttocks - as he entered the station.

Barham was removed to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators say that at least 14 shots were fired into the station.  Police have not revealed a motive for the shooting, however, at least one person told the Philadelphia Daily News that the victim was reportedly among a group of teens who stood outside the station selling loose cigarettes for 50 cents a piece.

Not so surprisingly, investigators appear to have been stymied by people who may have been at the scene but chose not to stick around to help solve the crime.  The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that at least a dozen people may have been in the area at the time of the shooting.

Of course, the video cameras at the El station should be able to provide clues as to the identity of the shooter.  Presuming, of course, they were actually working, which, given SEPTA's track record over the years, is no guarantee.

This is the second major violent incident at a SEPTA station in as many months.  A man was stabbed at the Oregon Avenue station on the Broad Street Subway last month, in an incident where numerous passengers fled the station after the stabbing, but none reportedly could be bothered to call 9-1-1.

Yeah, I'm sure people still feel safe riding SEPTA.  Just remember to (1) bring your bulletproof vests and (2) remember to call 9-1-1 instead of SEPTA Police.