Philadelphia police are searching for a young man wearing a Chucky mask who chased and threatened several pedestrians near City Hall on August 12.
Authorities say the suspect targeted multiple people in Center City within a 15 to 20 minute window early in the morning while recording his actions on a mobile phone.
The most alarming confrontation took place around 5:30 a.m., when the masked individual approached a 40-year-old woman jogging near City Hall. Holding his phone in front of her, the man repeatedly asked the woman if she was ready to die.
The jogger panicked and fled while calling for help, but fell and sustained a leg injury during the escape. The suspect stopped pursuing her and walked toward Suburban Station.
Police noted that security camera footage showed no visible weapon, although the man held his phone in one hand while keeping his other hand hidden behind his back.
Encounters across Center City
Another pedestrian, Jameka, said she witnessed the suspect approach a runner who was wearing headphones and tried to shout a warning. The masked man then turned his attention toward Jameka.
Rather than running away, Jameka raised her hands to defend herself against the suspect, whom she described as appearing disoriented. She kicked him in the chest, which forced him to back off.
Investigators reported that the man also entered a local Dunkin store, where employees refused to serve him because of his mask and erratic behavior. Surveillance footage also captured him running behind a man wearing a reflective vest near Dilworth Plaza.
Law enforcement officials believe the suspect may have intentionally recorded the encounters to capture the reactions of the people he confronted.
Police search and potential charges
Police describe the suspect as a thin male between 16 and 20 years old, standing about 1.73 meters tall. He was wearing dark clothing and a mask resembling Chucky, the fictional killer doll from horror movies.
The suspect was last seen entering Suburban Station, a major commuter rail hub in downtown Philadelphia, shortly after 5:30 a.m. Philadelphia police have released surveillance images and video to help identify him.
If apprehended, the suspect faces potential charges including terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment.
