Philadelphia, January 13, 2026 —
A 16-year-old boy was found shot to death inside a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University Monday evening, and police are searching for three possible suspects.
- Khyon Smith-Tate, 16, was identified as the victim.
- Police are seeking three male suspects, believed to be between 16 and 17 years old.
- The shooting occurred around 5:15 p.m. at a Chipotle on Montgomery Avenue in North Philadelphia.
A 16-year-old boy was found dead from a gunshot wound inside a Chipotle restaurant near the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia on Monday, according to police. The victim has been identified as Khyon Smith-Tate, of the 2500 block of North Hutchinson Street, Philadelphia police said Tuesday.
Shooting Investigation
Officers responded to the scene at the Chipotle on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in North Philadelphia around 5:15 p.m. Monday, police said. Smith-Tate was found by a restaurant employee and pronounced dead inside a bathroom, according to authorities.
Police are currently searching for three possible suspects, all believed to be boys between the ages of 16 and 17, according to police.
“We’re getting information that the 16-year-old victim was inside with at least one other juvenile male. They asked for keys to the restroom, and that’s when they both went in,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Investigators found one spent shell casing at the scene, indicating at least one shot was fired from a semi-automatic weapon, Small added.
Temple University Response
The shooting occurred on the first day back from winter break at Temple University, and the Chipotle location is popular with students. The restaurant was reportedly crowded at the time of the incident.
“A lot of students eat here. A lot of people gather at Chipotle,” said Temple senior Chikondi Rose.
Temple University released a statement saying, “The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
The university also stated that the shooting took place adjacent to campus and encouraged students impacted by the incident to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.
“This is, of course, deeply upsetting and took place adjacent to our campus in a commercial establishment. We encourage students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services,” the statement continued.
Students expressed surprise at the shooting. “It’s really sad to hear, I mean, a young person like that being found in the bathroom, that’s not something you hear often,” said freshman Finn Glenn.
Anyone with information is asked to call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online at https://www.phillypolice.com/forms/submit-a-tip/.
Time.news based this report in part on reporting by WPVI-TV and added independent analysis and context.
