PHILADELPHIA, PA- A 16-year-old boy from Upper Darby, identified as Tysheer Shahe Hankinson, was fatally shot in West Philadelphia early Saturday morning. Hankinson, who was under investigation in connection with the murder of a 12-year-old boy found dead in a dumpster in August, was shot multiple times in his neck, face, left leg, and body.
The shooting took place on the 5400 block of Poplar Street just before 1 a.m., according to law enforcement officials. Hankinson was rushed to Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:28 a.m. The circumstances that surround the fatal shooting incident are currently under investigation by the police.
Hankinson was a person of interest in the murder of Hezekiah Bernard, a 12-year-old boy whose body was discovered in a dumpster in West Philadelphia. Bernard had been shot once in the head, and his death was ruled a homicide by the authorities.
Bernard’s body was found on Philadelphia Housing Authority property on August 23. His remains were wrapped in a comforter, with his head encased in plastic. Initially, investigators believed Bernard to be a man in his 20s until his remains were properly identified.
According to the police, Bernard was killed at least 24 hours before his body was discovered. The connection between Hankinson and Bernard’s murder remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.
While the community grapples with these tragic events, police are urging anyone who has information related to either case to come forward. The hope is that shedding light on these incidents will help prevent further violence and bring justice to the victims and their families.