Chilling Incident in Philadelphia
Surveillance footage has captured a masked individual terrorizing people in downtown Philadelphia while wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, is now the focus of a search by the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service after an arrest warrant was issued. The unsettling incident took place on August 12.
Police Hunt for Zymire Hughes
During a recent press conference, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confronted the fear caused by Hughes, asking, “If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run: Who’s scared now? Who’s running now?” The police had released a side-by-side image showing Hughes in the mask and surveillance footage of him chasing a victim near City Hall.
The footage shows Hughes leaving his apartment and heading downtown by bus. At approximately 5:30 a.m., he donned the mask and began confronting people while recording his actions with a cellphone. He threatened and assaulted a jogger near City Hall and chased the terrified individual.
“The victim is absolutely terrified of Mr. Hughes,” stated Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith. “He crouches down with his hands up in a pleading motion. We don’t know exactly what was said… it’s apparent this individual is in fear for their life…”
Pursuit and Escape
The encounter intensified when Hughes allegedly pursued the jogger, reportedly stating, “Are you ready to die?” as he held up his phone. During her escape, the jogger injured her leg, which will require extensive medical treatment.
Hughes was later spotted at Suburban Station by two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) police officers in a golf cart. Though officers instructed Hughes to remove the mask, he attempted to hide his identity by wearing a black, COVID-style mask beneath it.
Despite being followed by officers, Hughes managed to evade capture and board a bus home. He placed the mask in his backpack and returned to his apartment. Further surveillance footage documented his departure for downtown earlier that day.
Further Investigation and Current Status
SEPTA police identified Hughes along with two other individuals involved in the incident. Capt. Smith suggested Hughes may have initiated the spree for “his own sick personal amusement” or possibly to create monetized social media content. Hughes has remaining ties to California and Nevada, and law enforcement continues to search for him.