On September 2, 2023, at approximately 1:06 a.m., Philadelphia Police responded to reports of a shooting on the 5400 block of Poplar Street in West Philadelphia. Upon arrival, officers discovered 16-year-old Tysheer Shahe Hankinson from Upper Darby lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to his neck, face, left leg, and body. The officers immediately transported him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:28 a.m.
In the aftermath of Hankinson's death, it emerged that he was a person of interest in the murder investigation of 12-year-old Hezekiah Bernard. Bernard's body had been discovered on August 23, 2023, inside a trash can on the 5500 block of Cherry Street in West Philadelphia. He had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and his death was ruled a homicide. Sources indicated that Hankinson was under investigation in connection with Bernard's death at the time of his own killing.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with Hankinson's murder. The Philadelphia Police Department continues to investigate both his death and the earlier homicide of Bernard. Authorities have not publicly disclosed any suspects or motives related to Hankinson's killing. They urge anyone with information to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
