Newly released surveillance footage has illuminated the sequence of events during which a man, disguised in a "Chucky"-style Halloween mask, allegedly terrorized several individuals in downtown Philadelphia. Despite being pursued by two police officers, the suspect managed to escape, according to officials speaking on Thursday.
Zymire Hughes, 22, is currently the subject of a manhunt by the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. An arrest warrant was issued for Hughes in connection with the August 12 incident.
During a Thursday afternoon news conference, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner directly addressed the suspect, stating,
"If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run: Who's scared now? Who's running now?"
A Disturbing Morning in Downtown Philadelphia
On Thursday, authorities made public surveillance video that depicted Hughes departing his residence and subsequently traveling by bus towards the city center. Upon arriving downtown, around 5:30 a.m., Hughes reportedly put on the mask and commenced harassing individuals. Police indicate he used a cell phone to record his actions. Among his alleged victims, he threatened and assaulted a jogger near City Hall before pursuing her.
The initial person encountered by Hughes reportedly showed extreme terror. Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith described the encounter, stating,
"The victim is absolutely terrified of Mr. Hughes. He crouches down with his hands up in a pleading motion. We don't know exactly what was said... but it's readily apparent that this individual is certainly in fear for their life. So then Mr. Hughes proceeds to make his way down Chestnut Street, harassing additional people."
The series of events escalated when Hughes reportedly chased the jogger. While holding up his phone, Hughes allegedly posed the question, "Are you ready to die?", according to police. Captain Smith informed reporters that the jogger sustained a leg injury during her escape, which will necessitate significant medical care.
Police Pursuit and Evasion
Hughes was later observed within Suburban Station by two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) police officers, one pair in a golf cart and others on foot. Captain Smith, while presenting footage of the interaction, stated that officers instructed Hughes to take off the mask.
Though Hughes complied by removing the "Chucky" mask, he reportedly made an effort to further obscure his face. "Underneath that Chucky-style Halloween mask, he's got a black, COVID-style mask, which he never removes," Captain Smith explained. He added that prior to being spotted by officers, Hughes was "running around attempting to engage other people and scare them down in Suburban Station as well."
Officers pursued Hughes, but he ultimately eluded them and boarded a public bus heading back toward his residence, police confirmed. Authorities noted that Hughes traveled by bus, deposited the mask into a backpack, and subsequently reached his apartment complex.
Identifying the Suspect and Ongoing Search
Surveillance video from the apartment complex showed Hughes's departure for downtown prior to the start of his alleged rampage. Investigators successfully acquired images of him in a communal area without the mask. SEPTA police officers successfully identified Hughes, in addition to two other individuals, according to police statements.
Captain Smith suggested that Hughes's motivation for the spree was likely "his own sick personal amusement" or an attempt to generate monetized content for social media.
Hughes is still at large, and police have indicated he has connections to both California and Nevada.
