16-year-old shot at SEPTA's 15th Street Station in Philadelphia, police say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two teenagers have been charged after a 16-year-old boy was shot on the subway platform at SEPTA's 15th Street Station in Philadelphia on Thursday night, SEPTA police said.
The shooting happened on the westbound platform at 15th Street Station on SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line around 9:30 p.m.
Multiple SEPTA police officers were on scene and heard multiple gunshots and believe they were fired into a crowd of juveniles. That sent a crowd running.
"An unbelievable, callous, indiscriminate display of lack of care for human life," SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson said Friday in a news conference.
"I had three transit police officers on the platform when this occurred," Lawson said.
The 16-year-old was shot in the head and immediately taken by police to Jefferson University Hospital, where he was placed in extremely critical condition. Police say he is not expected to survive.
The School District of Philadelphia confirmed the victim is a 10th-grade student at Frankford High School.
SEPTA police said two people were taken into custody, including a 17-year-old who they believe is the shooter.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office says the 17-year-old and a 16-year-old are facing criminal charges including aggravated assault, conspiracy and recklessly endangering another person.
The 17-year-old is also facing gun charges.
Both are being tried in criminal court and not juvenile court.
Lawson said both people charged had prior criminal records.
"Something has to give. We got to get our hands around pattern offenders in this city," Lawson said. "Law enforcement is doing its job."
A motive for the shooting is not known at this time.
This story has been updated to reflect the victim's age provided by police.
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