A man suspected of killing two women in a Philadelphia home shot himself after a 12-hour standoff on a SEPTA bus, police said Monday.
The incident began around 5:49 a.m. when Philadelphia police declared a barricade situation on a Route 18 SEPTA bus in the Fox Chase neighborhood, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. The man, later identified as Lonnie Turner, was linked to the deaths of 78-year-old Sadie Turner and her 20-something adoptive daughter, Gabby Turner, who were found shot in a burning home in the Cedarbrook neighborhood nearly five miles away, sources reported.
Timeline of the Standoff
The standoff started just after 5 a.m. when Turner, armed with a handgun, refused to leave the bus at the end of its route, prompting police to respond. By 5:03 p.m., the situation concluded after Turner shot himself inside the bus, according to police. He was taken to Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, as reported by multiple outlets including CBS News and 6abc Philadelphia.
Firefighters had earlier responded to a house fire in the Cedarbrook neighborhood around 3:40 a.m., discovering the two women with gunshot wounds, police said. The victims, identified by family members, were Sadie Turner, Lonnie’s adoptive mother, and Gabby Turner, his sister. A family member confirmed Turner had posted videos on social media either before or after the killings, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
The barricade began just before 6 a.m. at the Fox Chase Bus Loop at Oxford Avenue and Loney Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Officers could be seen escorting a group of people who may be close to the suspect. Oxford Avenue was closed in both directions between Burholme Avenue and Hasbrook Avenue as the situation continued, with Routes 18, 24, and 28 detoured, SEPTA said.
At 3:45 a.m., firefighters responding to a blaze at the 8200 block of Williams Avenue in Cedarbrook found two adult women shot inside the home, authorities said. The fire was brought under control about half an hour later. The Philadelphia Fire Department and Police Department are investigating the connection between the fire and the bus standoff.
Witness Accounts and Community Impact
Neighbors described the chaotic scene as police and SWAT teams surrounded the bus. I heard some sirens between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.,
said Norma Hart, a resident near the Cedarbrook home. I looked out the window, I figured, ‘Oh, it’s just a fire.’ I whispered a prayer, ‘Let my neighbors be OK.’
Julio Rosario, who owns an MMA academy across from the bus stop, recounted the moment the standoff ended: I just heard one shot; it was one, quick PAT, and that was the end of the situation.
Residents expressed fear over the man’s access to public transportation, with one noting, The scary thing is he had a gun, and he was riding the public transportation.
Rider Haajah Robinson described witnessing armed officers trying to remove Turner from the bus. I was scared because they had their guns out, and I’m walking down the street not knowing what’s going on,
Robinson said. The Route 18 bus connects the Cedarbrook and Fox Chase neighborhoods, and the two crime scenes are about six miles apart, according to sources.
Police said no officers were injured during the standoff, but the incident left the community in shock. What ended up happening happened, but it was a long day of fear in the community and not knowing,
said Jennifer Sita, a Fox Chase resident. The area saw road closures and a heavy police presence, disrupting local businesses and daily routines.
Investigation and Unanswered Questions
Authorities are investigating the connection between Turner’s actions and the double homicide. A family member told NBC10 that Turner had recently been released from jail and lived at the home where the women were killed. However, the exact motive for the killings and the standoff remains unclear.
There's no word on what led up to the shooting,
one source noted. The Philadelphia Police Department and Fire Department are continuing their inquiry, while the public awaits further details. The case has sparked discussions about mental health and public safety, with resources like the National Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) and NAMI’s HelpLine (1-800-950-NAMI) being highlighted in multiple reports.
SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch confirmed that the man told the bus driver he had just killed two people. The driver and other passengers exited safely, but Turner remained on the bus. The bus was parked in a bus loop off Oxford Avenue, with nearby streets shut down and SEPTA trains and buses detoured, according to authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing, with family members believing the Fox Chase standoff and the Cedarbrook double homicide are connected. The man’s social media activity and history of incarceration are under review.
The incident also raises questions about the handling of domestic disputes and the role of mental health in such events. From what I was hearing, they were really trying to get him to give up on his own. They tried to make things safe for him,
said Rosario, describing the negotiation efforts. However, the outcome underscores the challenges of de-escalation in high-stress situations.