PHILADELPHIA, PA – A tragic incident unfolded earlier this week in West Philadelphia, where a shooting inside a local corner grocery store resulted in the death of a 15-year-old and left a 16-year-old critically injured. Authorities have now charged 22-year-old Jaquan Higgs with murder, following the violent confrontation that occurred at the Maryland Grocery Store, located at the intersection of 54th and Race Streets, just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Higgs, according to Philadelphia police sources, remained at the scene after the shooting, claiming self-defense. He had shot two armed juveniles, killing Seth Marshall, the 15-year-old, and critically wounding the 16-year-old, who was shot in the face. Witnesses reportedly moved Marshall’s firearm, a semi-automatic gun with an extended magazine, across the street to prevent further use. Police later recovered this weapon along with two others.
While Higgs possessed a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon, surveillance footage from the store reportedly shows that neither teenager drew their weapons before being shot. The video allegedly depicts Marshall with his gun visibly tucked into his waistband as he stood near the store’s entrance, raising his phone to type a message when he was fatally shot. The 16-year-old, meanwhile, was reportedly paying for food when he was struck.
Law enforcement sources indicate that both teens had significant criminal backgrounds despite their young ages. Marshall was reportedly wanted on weapons charges in Montgomery County. In contrast, Higgs had no prior criminal record, which allowed him to legally obtain a concealed carry permit. Residents of the area were aware of Higgs’s routine visits to the store and his habit of carrying a firearm.
As Higgs faces charges of murder and attempted murder, he will have to defend his actions as self-defense in court. The critically injured 16-year-old, who was shot in the face and knee, had recently been released from juvenile detention and now faces new charges related to the firearm found in his possession.
This incident has stirred the community, raising questions about gun violence and self-defense claims. As the legal proceedings unfold, the neighborhood grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy and the broader implications it holds for youth involvement in crime and community safety.