Philadelphia police seek suspect who assaulted woman while wearing Halloween mask
Authorities have issued an active warrant for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, accused of assaulting a woman and harassing pedestrians while masked, and warn he may have left the state.
Philadelphia police announced Thursday that a warrant has been issued for Zymire Hughes, 22, who is alleged to have assaulted a woman and approached multiple pedestrians while wearing a white, Chucky-style Halloween mask on Aug. 12. The suspect reportedly filmed the encounters with a cellphone and shouted at a woman, "are you ready to die," before chasing her.
District Attorney Larry Krasner said Hughes is currently on probation for a prior offense and faces felony and misdemeanor charges for the August 12 incident. Police described Hughes as a Black male, about 5-foot-8, thin build, wearing a black/blue plaid backpack.
Police Captain Jason Smith said surveillance footage shows Hughes confronting dozens of people, including a woman on her way to a morning workout class. Smith suggested the suspect may have been seeking social-media content, noting that no weapon was displayed.
Investigators have linked three social-media accounts to Hughes and indicated he may have traveled to California or Nevada, where he has employment ties. Authorities are asking the public to report any information on his whereabouts.