Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“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.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.