Roxborough High shooting suspects committed separate murder a day earlier, police say

Philadelphia police say three of the suspects in September’s deadly shooting near Roxborough High School will be charged with murder in connection to a separate fatal shooting in North Philadelphia that happened the day before.

Three teens — a 15-year-old, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old — will face new murder charges for the killing of 19-year-old Tahmir Jones, said Cpl. Jasmine Reilly. The fatal shooting happened at around 2 p.m. on the 600 block of North 13th Street on Sept. 26.

The 15-year-old and 17-year-old are already in police custody in connection to the Roxborough shooting.

The 16-year-old remains a fugitive.

A spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office did not immediately return a request for comment.

The news comes three days after police arrested a fourth suspect in connection to the fatal shooting near Roxborough High School, WHYY News partner 6ABC reported.

A different 16-year-old was charged with homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, and related offenses.

He is the fifth person identified as a suspect in the late September shooting, according to 6ABC.

Police arrested a 17-year-old and 21-year-old Yaaseen Bivens last month. A 15-year-old also surrendered to detectives last month.

The fatal shooting happened on Sept. 27 at around 4:40 p.m. in the 4700 block of Pechin Street outside of Roxborough High School’s athletic fields, according to police. A junior varsity football scrimmage between three schools — Roxborough High School, Northeast High School and Boys Latin Charter School — had just ended when shots rang out.

The shooting killed 14-year-old Nicolas Elizalde of Havertown, Pa. and injured four other teenagers.

Elizalde attended W.B. Saul High School, but played football for Roxborough.

If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence in Philadelphia, you can find grief support and resources online.