To the Temple community, 

This afternoon, at approximately 3:50 p.m., Police Officers from Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) and the Philadelphia Police Department responded to a report of gunshots at 1420 Cecil B. Moore Avenue. Within minutes, the shooting was confirmed, and a TUAlert was disseminated to all members of the Temple community to warn them of the incident and to avoid the area due to an increase in police presence. 

After arriving at the scene, police officers found a 15-year-old male, unaffiliated with Temple, who had been shot one time in the hip. Police officers with Philadelphia’s 22nd District transported the victim to Temple University Hospital where he is presently being treated for the wound. It is a tragedy to see another young person fall victim to gun violence in this city, and our thoughts are with him and his family. 

The incident was captured on TUDPS cameras, and the shooter appears to be a similar age to the victim. We have shared all footage with the Philadelphia Police Department, which is leading this investigation. Following the shooting, the offender immediately fled on foot into the subway entrance at Broad St. and Cecil B. Moore where he boarded a train and left the area. SEPTA police are also involved in the investigation. There will be an increase in Philadelphia and Temple University police presence throughout the evening. 

We are grateful to the police officers and detectives who responded and are working on this case. We urge all members of the Temple community to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234 if they have any details regarding today’s incident. We also encourage all students, faculty and staff to keep themselves apprised of the university’s available safety resources. 

Incidents like these are very concerning, and we want to encourage those students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services, located at 1700 N. Broad St. For information, call 215-204-7276 or visit the Tuttleman Counseling Services website. 

For faculty and staff members, our employee assistance program offers support and resources 24/7 online or call 1-888-267-8126. Employees and students can also contact Temple’s Psychological Services Center at psc@temple.edu, or 215-204-7100. 

Best regards, 

Jennifer D. Griffin 
Vice President of Public Safety