PHILADELPHIA (March 28, 2024) – A teenager who was arrested and charged for the fatal shooting of Tyshaun Welles, 16, in the Market-Frankford station in January has been ordered released after further investigation showed that he did not participate in the crime.
Zaire Wilson, 16, was arrested by SEPTA Police on January 11, 2024, shortly after a police alert was issued about the shooting. Defendant Quadir Humphrey, 18, was arrested separately on scene by SEPTA Police shortly after the shooting.
SEPTA surveillance video and additional information later obtained by investigators indicate that Humphrey acted alone on January 11th when he allegedly began firing into a crowd of mostly young people, striking Welles, on the platform of the 15th Street station. Welles succumbed to his injuries on January 16, 2024. The DA’s Office is prosecuting Humphrey for Murder and related offenses.
The SEPTA surveillance video of the incident, which was not available to the DA’s Office at the time of Wilson’s arrest, shows that he was clearly not involved in the shooting and murder of Welles. After reviewing the video and following witness interviews, the DA’s Office on February 28th requested a hearing before the Hon. Joffie Pittman, who granted a hearing the following morning. On February 29th, the DA’s Office withdrew all charges against Wilson and Judge Pittman approved an order for Wilson to be immediately released from custody.
“After an ongoing investigation made clear that a 16-year-old was in custody for a crime he did not commit, Assistant District Attorney Anthony Voci acted quickly to alert DA’s Office supervisors, Municipal Court leadership, and the Juvenile Justice Services Center to ensure that Zaire Wilson was released and reunited with his family within 36 hours,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “When presented with evolving or new information, the criminal legal system should move as quickly in the interest of justice – whether that means being prepared to meet the Commonwealth’s burden at trial or releasing from detention people who did not actually participate in a crime.”
News organizations and journalists are encouraged to review past reporting on this case in light of the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) and Juvenile Act of Pennsylvania.
CONTACT:
Jane Roh, 215-686-8711, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually. Learn more about the DAO by visiting PhillyDA.org.