Philadelphia authorities are searching for Zymire Hughes, 22, who is accused of terrorizing multiple people in the downtown area on Aug. 12 while wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hughes, who is being sought by the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Surveillance footage shows Hughes leaving his apartment building by bus before arriving in the downtown area, where he donned the mask around 5:30 a.m. and began antagonizing individuals, according to police. He allegedly threatened and assaulted a jogger near City Hall, chasing her and asking, "Are you ready to die?" The jogger sustained a leg injury while fleeing and is expected to require extensive medical treatment.
Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith stated that the victim appeared to be in fear for her life. Hughes then proceeded down Chestnut Street, allegedly harassing additional people while filming his actions with a cell phone. He also reportedly engaged in similar behavior inside Suburban Station, where he was spotted by SEPTA police officers.
Officers at Suburban Station observed Hughes, who removed the mask but continued to wear a COVID-style mask underneath and attempted to conceal his identity. The officers followed him, but Hughes evaded them by boarding a bus and returning to his apartment complex. Investigators were able to identify Hughes from surveillance footage.
District Attorney Larry Krasner commented on the incident, stating, "If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run: Who's scared now? Who's running now?"
Police believe Hughes may have committed these acts for personal amusement or for the creation of monetized social media content. Hughes remains at large and is known to have ties to California and Nevada.