16-year-old boy fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University's campus in North Philadelphia

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University's campus in North Philadelphia on January 12, 2026. This occurred on the first day of the spring semester, around 5 p.m., at the location on the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue (near 12th Street), in a busy commercial spot on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartments, adjacent to campus facilities like the Student Center and TECH Center.

The victim has been identified as Khyon Smith-Tate, a 16-year-old from North Philadelphia (last known address on the 2500 block of North Hutchinson Street, about eight blocks away). He was found shot in the chest by Chipotle employees after he and another juvenile requested the bathroom key and entered together. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semi-automatic weapon inside the bathroom, and believe the shooting took place there. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 5:24 p.m.

Surveillance footage (from both the restaurant and Temple University cameras) showed two teens entering the bathroom, and captured a person of interest fleeing the area immediately afterward. Philadelphia police have taken at least one person of interest into custody (status as suspect or witness unclear at this time), and are seeking information on three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks. No motive has been publicly released yet, and the incident does not appear to involve Temple University students.

Temple University issued a statement via President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety/Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin, calling the loss of life to gun violence a "profound tragedy" and offering support through Tuttleman Counseling Services for impacted students. The university emphasized it occurred in a commercial establishment adjacent to campus and cooperated fully with Philadelphia Police.

Chipotle released a statement expressing heartbreak over the incident and hoping those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted fully. The company is providing counseling to employees.

17GEN4.com