Just as students were returning from their holiday break at Temple University in Philadelphia, violence broke out. A teenage boy, identified as Khyon Smith-Tate, was shot and killed in the bathroom at a Chipotle near the university. The teen, who lived in Philadelphia, was not a student at Temple but was in the area with three other teens. At the time of the shooting, the restaurant was busy, which isn’t particularly surprising but definitely presents a challenge for the investigation. Thus far, police are pursuing three suspects, but they haven’t been found or arrested, and the investigation continues.
Around 5:15 p.m. January 12, 2026, a body was found in the bathroom at the Chipotle near Temple University, ABC 11 reported. The victim was identified as Smith-Tate, a 16-year-old. Police said the teen was found by a restaurant employee and had been fatally shot in the chest.
“We’re getting information that the 16-year-old victim was inside with at least one other juvenile male. They asked for keys to the restroom, and that’s when they both went in,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, per ABC 11.
Smith-Tate was declared dead in the bathroom. “Not only did we find the victim in the bathroom, we found one spent shell casing. So, at least one shot was fired from a semi-automatic weapon,” Small explained.
According to police, the suspects are believed to be three individuals between the ages of 16 and 17, People reported.
“One suspect has dreadlocks and was wearing a black coat, a pink hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and black sneakers, and was carrying a red backpack at the time of the shooting. A second suspect was described as wearing a black coat, black jeans and black sneakers, and carrying a black backpack,” the magazine reported. “The third suspect, who also has dreadlocks, was wearing a black coat, a blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black sneakers, and was carrying a dark-colored backpack.”
Small told WPVI that the restaurant was busy when Smith-Tate was shot. “It was very noisy at the time, and there was even some music playing, but we’re not getting information that someone heard a gunshot,” he said.
Students expressed that they were not shocked by the shooting, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t jarring to find out about.
“For it to happen in the first day of class so suddenly, you know kind of worry about the security,” Temple freshman Cloud Mensah told WPVI.
Junior Arden O’Dell added, “It was very sad and it was like a woah moment but it wasn’t surprising, unfortunately.”
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones,” Temple University shared in a statement shared by ABC 11 and WPVI. “This is, of course, deeply upsetting and took place adjacent to our campus in a commercial establishment. We encourage students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.”
The shooting is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online.
