A 16-year-old boy was shot and killed inside a Chipotle bathroom near Temple University in North Philadelphia on Monday, January 12, 2026, as the restaurant was packed with students returning for the first day of the spring semester.
Khyon Smith-Tate was found by a restaurant employee around 5:15 p.m. suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest inside the Chipotle on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue at 12th and Montgomery streets. He was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate had entered the Chipotle with three other teenagers and asked for bathroom keys. Two of the teens entered one bathroom together before the fatal shooting occurred.
“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,” Small said.
Investigators found one spent shell casing from a semi-automatic weapon inside the bathroom, with the casing recovered from a trash can. Despite the restaurant being very crowded and noisy at the time, with music playing, no one reported hearing a gunshot.
The shooting occurred on the first day of the spring semester at Temple University. The restaurant was packed with customers during the dinner rush, creating a chaotic scene as officers arrived to investigate. Three of the four teenagers who had entered together left the restaurant shortly before Smith-Tate was discovered.
Philadelphia police are seeking three suspects in connection with the shooting, all believed to be between 16 and 17 years old. The first suspect has dreadlocks and was last seen wearing a black coat, pink hoodie, and carrying a red backpack. The second suspect wore a black coat and jeans and carried a black backpack. The third suspect, who also has dreadlocks, wore a blue hoodie and carried a dark-colored backpack.
No arrests have been made in the case. Police sources indicated that the identities of the three teens are known to investigators.
Smith-Tate lived just eight blocks from where the shooting occurred. He was a student at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner visited both the victim’s family and the school following the shooting. “I just came here to express my condolences to the family who are unquestionably suffering right now,” Krasner said.
Imhotep Institute Charter High School released a statement mourning the loss of Smith-Tate, describing him as caring, energetic, filled with school pride and comical. The school noted he was filled with light and love, and that his smile would always be remembered.
The Chipotle restaurant was closed during the investigation. A spokesperson for the chain said the company is offering counseling services to all employees at the location.
Temple University President John Fry addressed the tragedy in a statement. The university encouraged students impacted by the shooting to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
The shooting highlights ongoing concerns about youth violence in Philadelphia and the accessibility of firearms to teenagers. The incident occurred in a public space filled with witnesses, yet the rapid nature of the attack and the crowded, noisy environment meant that many patrons were unaware a shooting had taken place until police arrived.
Bathroom shootings in commercial establishments present unique challenges for law enforcement. Unlike shootings in open areas, bathroom attacks often occur in enclosed spaces with limited witnesses and restricted surveillance camera access. The use of bathroom keys, which many restaurants require for security purposes, can create vulnerabilities when multiple individuals enter together.
The timing of the incident, coinciding with the first day of the spring semester, particularly affected the Temple University community. Students returning from winter break were confronted with the reality of violence occurring steps from their campus in what should have been a routine dining location.
The recovery of a single shell casing suggests at least one shot was fired from a semi-automatic weapon. The fact that only one spent casing was found indicates either remarkable accuracy or close-range shooting, though investigators have not released details about the exact circumstances of how the shooting unfolded inside the bathroom.
Youth violence involving teenagers as both victims and suspects has become an increasing concern for Philadelphia law enforcement. Cases involving suspects under 18 years old present additional legal complexities, as juvenile proceedings differ significantly from adult criminal prosecutions. The search for teenage suspects also raises questions about how young people gain access to firearms and what circumstances lead to fatal violence among adolescents.
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together what led to the fatal shooting. The Philadelphia Police Department is asking anyone with information to call or text 215-686-TIPS.
