Philadelphia authorities are seeking 22-year-old Zymire Hughes after an alleged Aug. 12 series of confrontations involving a Chucky-style Halloween mask. Surveillance footage released Thursday shows Hughes leaving his apartment, traveling downtown by bus and later returning after evading police. Investigators say a jogger was threatened and injured while fleeing, and an arrest warrant has been issued.
Authorities say the incidents occurred near City Hall and inside Suburban Station during the early morning hours. Police identified Hughes through surveillance footage and information obtained from SEPTA officers, but he remained at large as of Thursday.
| 1) | Suspect leaves his apartment before dawn |
| 2) | Mask-wearing confrontations begin downtown |
| 3) | Jogger allegedly threatened and injured |
| 4) | SEPTA officers track him at Suburban Station |
| 5) | Investigators identify suspect as search continues |
Suspect leaves his apartment before dawn
According to Philadelphia police, surveillance footage shows Hughes leaving his apartment complex on Aug. 12 and traveling by bus toward downtown Philadelphia. The footage helped investigators establish where he came from and provided images of him in a common area without the distinctive mask. Authorities say the journey preceded the alleged encounters near City Hall and at the nearby transit station.
Police say Hughes later placed the mask in a backpack before returning to his apartment complex. The sequence of footage gave investigators a timeline of his movements before and after the alleged incidents.
Mask-wearing confrontations begin downtown
Police said Hughes put on the Chucky-style mask at approximately 5:30 a.m. in the downtown area. He allegedly began antagonizing people while recording his actions with a cellphone. The reported encounters occurred around City Hall and along Chestnut Street, where authorities say multiple people were harassed.
Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said one person appeared to be extremely frightened during an encounter. He said the available footage did not make clear exactly what was said at first, but showed behavior that appeared to cause serious fear. Authorities have described the conduct as alleged and are seeking Hughes under an active arrest warrant.
“The victim is absolutely terrified of Mr. Hughes,” Capt. Jason Smith said.
Jogger allegedly threatened and injured
The reported sequence culminated near City Hall when Hughes allegedly pursued a jogger. Police said he held up his phone and asked, “Are you ready to die?” while chasing her. The woman allegedly injured her leg while trying to escape and is expected to require extensive medical treatment, according to Capt. Smith.
The alleged threat and pursuit are central to the arrest warrant. Investigators have not announced a final court outcome, and Hughes has not been reported as arrested in connection with the case.
SEPTA officers track him at Suburban Station
After the downtown encounters, Hughes was allegedly seen at Suburban Station, where two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority police officers in a golf cart and other officers on foot approached him. Police said officers ordered him to remove the Chucky-style mask.
Hughes removed the outer mask but allegedly kept a black mask covering his face. Capt. Smith said officers followed him through the station, where he was also accused of trying to frighten or engage other people. Hughes eventually evaded the officers and boarded a bus, police said.
Investigators identify suspect as search continues
SEPTA police were able to identify Hughes, along with two other people, using the available surveillance and investigative information. Authorities released images showing the suspect in the Halloween-style mask and without it. Police and the U.S. Marshals Service are seeking Hughes, who authorities say has ties to California and Nevada.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner questioned whether the alleged effort to frighten people had achieved its intended effect. Authorities said they believe the conduct may have been motivated by personal amusement or an attempt to create monetized social media content, but that possible motive has not been established in court.
“If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run: Who’s scared now? Who’s running now?” District Attorney Larry Krasner said.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | An arrest warrant has been issued for Zymire Hughes. |
| 2 | The alleged incidents occurred on Aug. 12 near City Hall and Suburban Station. |
| 3 | Police say a jogger was threatened and injured while fleeing. |
| 4 | SEPTA officers followed Hughes, but police say he escaped by bus. |
Summary
The released timeline places Hughes at the center of an alleged early-morning series of mask-related confrontations in downtown Philadelphia. Surveillance footage and SEPTA police observations enabled investigators to identify him, but authorities have not yet located him. The case remains pending, and the allegations will need to be addressed through the legal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are authorities seeking?
Authorities are seeking 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who has an active arrest warrant related to the Aug. 12 incidents.
Where did the alleged incidents occur?
Police said the alleged encounters occurred near Philadelphia City Hall, along Chestnut Street and inside Suburban Station.
What happened to the jogger?
Police said the jogger was allegedly chased after a threatening statement and injured her leg while fleeing. Authorities said she would require extensive medical treatment.
How did investigators identify Hughes?
Investigators used surveillance footage, images from his apartment complex and information gathered by SEPTA police officers to identify him.
