PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A woman, in her early 20s, pulled out her firearm while she was riding a public bus in Philadelphia and shot the driver several times, tragically claiming his life in broad daylight.
Zhontay Capers, 21, is slapped with a murder charge in the death of Bernard Gribbin, a 12-year employee of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
According to prosecutors, Gribbin had just pulled up to a bus stop at around 10.30 am on Thursday, October 26, near the intersection of Germantown and Abbottsford Avenues when Capers suddenly did the unthinkable, shooting the victim on his right side.
What other charges does Zhontay Capers face?
Capers got off the bus and then turned around and allegedly shot the bus driver again. The 45-year-old was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Capers ran away but was arrested after some time.
Besides murder, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Friday, October 27, filed charges of recklessly endangering another person, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, and carrying a firearm without a license.
“What happened on SEPTA [Thursday] morning is inexcusable,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “All Philadelphians have the right to feel safe on public transit, especially those working to provide these essential services to our city," he added.
According to local Fox-affiliate WTXF, witnesses said that passengers onboard scrambled to get off the bus by jumping out of windows and emergency exits. However, no one was injured.
Why did Zhontay Capers kill Bernard Gribbin?
Police have not determined a motive for the shooting, but Capers’ family released a statement to the outlet saying she was “experiencing a mental health crisis.”
“Her grandmother, who raised her, passed away a week ago due to a short battle with cancer,” the statement said, adding “We knew that was her breaking point. Zhontay isolated herself from family during her paranoid state. Unfortunately, she didn’t meet the criteria for an involuntary hospitalization.”
The family hadn’t heard from her until they got word about the shooting. They went on to say that they feel the mental health system failed her.
“Our hope is that she gets the mental health support she truly needs once Justice is served!” the statement ended.
Bernard Gribbin’s family and co-workers gathered to honor him
On Saturday, October 28, Gribbin’s family and co-workers gathered to honor him with a balloon release. Co-workers called him an excellent employee and friend.
“We all come here just to take care of our families just like Bernard did,” Keith Bradford, the SEPTA Midvale District union representative, told local ABC-affiliate WPVI.
“None of us expect that when we put our uniform on in the morning that will be the last time we will come back,” he added.
“We have to get a full bulletproof door or something,” Bradford continued, adding “Bernard lost his life for what? He was doing his job.”
Bradford added that Gribbin always kept a positive attitude, even when times were tough.
“Bernard would laugh at us, and tell us to keep our head up and keep our foot on the gas,” Bradford told the outlet.
