Teen found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus
By Tom Ignudo
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PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A 16-year-old boy was found shot dead inside a Chipotle bathroom on the edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia Monday, police said. The shooting happened as students and staff returned to campus for the first day of the spring 2026 semester.
The teen was found shot in the chest inside the Chipotle on the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue at around 5 p.m., according to police. The restaurant is on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartments, which is near Temple’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the boy as Khyon Smith-Tate of North Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police Department Chief Inspector Scott Small said the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it,” Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
Small said police believe the shooting happened inside the bathroom of the Chipotle.
The 16-year-old and another minor asked for keys to enter the restroom, according to Small. Moments later, Chipotle employees found the 16-year-old shot in the chest. One spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon was also found inside the bathroom. While police didn’t identify the 16-year-old, Small said his last known address is eight blocks away from where the shooting happened.
Small said the Chipotle was very crowded and busy at the time of the shooting, and several people who were inside were being held for questioning. So far, they haven’t gotten information from anyone who heard a gunshot inside the store.
A person of interest was taken into custody a few blocks from the scene, but their involvement wasn’t clear, Small said. Police said Tuesday that no suspects had been arrested and no motive has been determined.
Small said police believe Smith-Tate entered the bathroom with another minor, but investigators aren’t sure about the latter’s whereabouts.
Police are seeking more information on three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Small said there are plenty of cameras in the area and police will use them in their investigation.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at our restaurant on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in Philadelphia and we hope the individuals responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” a Chipotle spokesperson said in a statement. “The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department, and the restaurant will remain closed while we assist with their investigation.”
Chipotle added that the company is offering counseling services to workers at the restaurant.
Employee Jesús Lucero was off work and said he got messages from co-workers about the shooting.
“No one actually knows how it happened,” Lucero said. “But the crew members are OK. Everyone that’s working was OK.”
Meanwhile, students are processing the shooting just steps from where they attend class — an area they say often draws teens after school.
“Like a big crowd or something on the streets, I don’t know what neighborhood they come from, but it’s usually in the afternoon after school,” Mauricio Gonzalez, a sophomore at Temple, said. “I mean, someone needs to watch out for these children. Where are their parents, you know? They’re not looking out for these people.”
Temple is encouraging any students impacted by the shooting to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.
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