In the Mantua section of West Philadelphia, on the evening of October 2, 2024, the life of 36-year-old Terrell Jones came to a violent and sudden end. The chain of events began shortly after 10 p.m. inside a candy store located on the 800 block of North 40th Street. Jones was present in the store when two male suspects entered with the intention of robbing him.
During the attempted robbery, one of the assailants opened fire, striking Jones multiple times.
Despite being fatally wounded, Jones, a male, managed to draw his own firearm and return fire at his attackers. He successfully shot one of the suspects, a 17-year-old, before collapsing. Philadelphia Fire Department medics arrived at the scene and officially pronounced him deceased at 10:24 p.m.
Following the shootout, the two suspects fled the candy store, escaping in a blue vehicle. Their getaway was short-lived, as they soon collided with a SEPTA bus near the intersection of 41st and Brown streets. After the crash, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Authorities later found the 17-year-old suspect on the 700 block of Preston Street, suffering from gunshot wounds to his arm and chest sustained during the exchange with Jones. The injured teen was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment.
The Philadelphia Police Department is actively investigating the homicide and continues to search for the second suspect involved in the robbery and murder of Terrell Jones. A reward of $20,000 has been offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his death.
