Recently analyzed surveillance footage revealed a chilling scene in downtown Philadelphia where a man in a menacing Chucky-style Halloween mask instigated fear among pedestrians. This tense episode ended with the masked individual dodging two police officers in pursuit, officials reported on Thursday.
The Philadelphia Police Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service, has been on the lookout for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, following the issue of an arrest warrant related to the incident that took place on August 12.
“If it was Hughes’ intention to instill fear and make others flee, one might ask, who is really running now?” remarked Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner at a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.
A visual released by the police juxtaposes the masked individual with surveillance footage allegedly showing him chasing a victim near City Hall. (Philadelphia Police Department)
Authorities shared additional footage on Thursday illustrating Hughes departing from his residence and subsequently taking public transportation towards the downtown area.
Once in the downtown area, Hughes donned his mask around 5:30 a.m. and began antagonizing people while filming his actions with a cell phone, police said. He allegedly threatened and assaulted a jogger near City Hall before chasing her.
The first person confronted by Hughes appeared to be terrified.
“The victim is absolutely terrified of Mr. Hughes,” Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said. “He crouches down with his hands up in a pleading motion. We don’t know exactly what was said… but it’s readily apparent that this individual is certainly in fear for their life. So then Mr. Hughes proceeds to make his way down Chestnut Street, harassing additional people.”
Zymire Hughes, 22, is seen being followed by officers with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, at the Suburban Station. (Philadelphia District Attorney)
The incident culminated when Hughes allegedly chased the jogger.
Holding up his phone, he allegedly asked: “Are you ready to die?” police said. The jogger injured her leg while fleeing and will require extensive medical treatment, Capt. Smith told reporters.
At one point, Hughes was spotted inside Suburban Station by two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) police officers in a golf cart and others on foot. The officers told him to remove the mask, Smith said, while showing footage of the interaction.
Hughes removed the mask but attempted to conceal his identity.
The masked suspect is identified as Zymire Hughes, 22. An arrest warrant is active, police say. (Philadelphia Police Department)
“Underneath that Chucky-style Halloween mask, he’s got a black, COVID-style mask, which he never removes,” Smith said. “Before they spot him, he is running around attempting to engage other people and scare them down in Suburban Station as well.”
The officers followed Hughes, but he eventually evaded them and boarded a bus back home, police said.
He took the bus, placed the mask in a backpack, and arrived at his apartment complex, authorities said.
Zymire Hughes, 22, pictured wearing a Chucky-style mask on Aug. 12, according to police. (Philadelphia District Attorney)
Surveillance footage captured at the complex shows Hughes leaving for downtown before his alleged rampage began. Investigators were able to obtain images of him in a common area without the mask.
SEPTA police officers were able to identify Hughes, along with two other people, police said.
Smith said he believes Hughes initiated the spree for “his own sick personal amusement” or to create monetized social media content.
Hughes remains at large but has ties to California and Nevada, police said.