Updated

Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 20

Police Hunt 22-Year-Old Zymire Hughes After Philadelphia Mask Attack as He May Be in L.A.

Updated

Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 20

Police Hunt 22-Year-Old Zymire Hughes After Philadelphia Mask Attack as He May Be in L.A.

Q: Why did a masked teen terrorize early morning Philadelphia commuters, and was the chilling chase all for a twisted viral video?

Police do not yet know why the masked teen targeted commuters, but investigators strongly suspect he was trying to scare people for his own recording or possible social-media content rather than commit a robbery or other conventional crime. According to Philadelphia police, the suspect spent about 15 to 20 minutes moving through Center City shortly after 5:18 a.m., approaching at least six people near 15th and Chestnut, Penn Square, Dilworth Plaza, JFK Boulevard and Suburban Station. He allegedly ran up to pedestrians, threatened them, asked one woman, “Are you ready to die?”, and appeared to hold a cellphone up during several encounters as if filming. Witnesses also described it as a “twisted game,” with one saying he asked people if they wanted to race him. That has led police to examine whether the incidents were linked to an online prank or viral-video attempt. Capt. Jason Smith said investigators were scouring social media for any posted footage, but as of the latest reports they had found no confirmed video and had not publicly established a motive. So the “viral video” theory remains plausible, not proven. What is clear is that the behavior went beyond a prank. A 40-year-old jogger fell and injured her leg while fleeing, and police said the suspect could face charges including terroristic threats, harassment, simple assault, reckless endangerment and intimidation. He was last seen entering Suburban Station, and no arrest had been announced as of Tuesday afternoon.

3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Aug 20

Philadelphia police say 22-year-old Zymire Hughes may have fled to the Los Angeles area after allegedly chasing a 40-year-old woman in a white doll mask near City Hall on Aug. 12.
Authorities said Hughes made threatening comments while keeping a hand behind his back, causing the woman to fall and suffer injuries before he escaped into a Center City rail station.
An arrest warrant is active, and police are now working with the U.S. Marshals because Hughes is believed to travel regularly between Pennsylvania, California and Las Vegas for work.
Investigators had earlier released video and images showing the suspect in a white mask, blue backpack and black clothing as the search widened beyond Philadelphia.