Surveillance video shows the tense moments a masked man, wearing a disturbing Halloween mask resembling Chucky, allegedly frightened several people in downtown Philadelphia before slipping away from police. Officials said Thursday that two officers trailed him during the incident, but he managed to evade arrest.
Philadelphia police and the U.S. Marshals Service are now searching for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who is wanted on an arrest warrant tied to the Aug. 12 episode.
“If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people, make them run: Who’s scared now? Who’s running now?” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said at a Thursday afternoon news conference.
A side-by-side image released by police shows the doll-masked suspect and surveillance footage of him allegedly pursuing a victim near City Hall. (Philadelphia Police Department)
Authorities on Thursday released surveillance footage that they said shows Hughes leaving his apartment and taking a bus into Center City.
Police said Hughes put on the mask after arriving downtown around 5:30 a.m. and began confronting people while recording himself on a cellphone. Investigators allege he threatened and assaulted a jogger near City Hall, then chased after her.
The first person Hughes confronted appeared visibly terrified, according to police.
“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.
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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.
