Philadelphia Police Hunt Suspect in Halloween Mask Scare

Authorities are searching for Zymire Hughes, 22, in relation to an August incident in downtown Philadelphia. Surveillance footage captured Hughes, wearing a Chucky-style Halloween mask, causing panic among pedestrians.

Incident Overview

According to the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, Hughes emerged from his apartment, eventually reaching downtown via bus. At around 5:30 a.m., he put on the mask and began intimidating people, filming these encounters with his phone.

Timeline of Events

Authorities shared footage showing Hughes leaving his apartment, journeying downtown, and interacting with a jogger near City Hall. During the encounter, Hughes allegedly threatened and pursued her, resulting in her injuring her leg while trying to escape. She will need significant medical treatment.

Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith stated, “The victim is absolutely terrified. It’s evident the individual feared for their life.”

Police Encounter

Police later spotted Hughes inside Suburban Station. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) police officers on a golf cart approached him. They requested he remove his mask. Smith noted that underneath, Hughes wore a black mask, which he did not take off.

Attempting to evade authorities, Hughes eventually boarded a bus to return home. Surveillance footage from his apartment complex captured him placing the mask in a backpack upon arrival.

Investigation and Motive

Investigators obtained images of Hughes without the mask from a common area in his complex. Smith suggested Hughes’s actions were for “his own sick personal amusement” or to generate monetized social media content.

Current Status and Police Efforts

Philadelphia police, alongside SEPTA officers, have identified Hughes and two other individuals. The search for Hughes, who has connections to California and Nevada, is still ongoing.