Woman, 56, killed in off-campus shooting

Kim Jones, 56, was shot at 12th and Jefferson streets while catching the SEPTA No. 23 bus in broad daylight.

Police officers removed the caution tape at 12th and Jefferson streets around 1:30 p.m. | JENNY KERRIGAN TTN
Police officers removed the caution tape at 12th and Jefferson streets around 1:30 p.m. | JENNY KERRIGAN TTN

Philadelphia Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a shooting at 12th and Jefferson streets around 9:15 a.m Tuesday that left a 56-year-old woman dead at her bus stop.

Two TU Alerts were sent out about the incident around 9:30 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. The account in the alerts detailed that the shooting took place at 9:15 a.m. and that the suspect was around 6 feet tall, 220 pounds.

The suspect was wearing a black and gray puffy jacket, black knit hat and carrying a dark duffel bag with writing on its side. He was last seen heading west on Jefferson Street.

The Inquirer identified the victim as Kim Jones, a recent MBA graduate working for the service organization Turning Points for Children, dedicated to supporting families and protecting children.

According to the organization’s website, Jones ran a TPC family support program in 30 elementary schools that promoted parent nurturing and educational success for children.

Jones’ death came as many were leaving for work and students in the area left for class.

One student from the area who was home, sophomore film major Yunong Xia, said that when she heard the gunshot she at first assumed it was a popping tire from the No. 23 bus that stops in the area.

Xia said that she looked outside and saw the body and emergency forces crowded around it.

“I would say I am definitely kind of scared,” Xia said.

Resident Renee Romanelli was about ready to leave for work when she heard what she initially thought was the bus backfiring. Then, she realized what had happened and broke into tears before she had to leave.

“It’s terrifying,” she told The Temple News in a brief interview at her home Tuesday. “There’s no respect for life anymore, all these people have guns now … my daughter stands at that stop.”

Jones lived on 12th Street, and relatives and others who knew her were gathered at the home Tuesday afternoon after the crime scene had cleared. They declined to comment. A close friend of Jones also declined to comment by phone.

Police reviewed the area for video footage that could help in further identifying the suspect.

Media representatives for the city’s police force, reached around 5 p.m. Tuesday, could confirm only that a shooting had taken place in the area at 9:13 a.m. and that a female victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-3334.

Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@temple.edu or on Twitter @JBrandt_TU.

Jenny Kerrigan, Steve Bohnel and Kate Reilly contributed reporting. 

 

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