Philadelphia police search for masked suspect Zymire Hughes after early morning spree leaves jogger injured
Authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who is accused of terrorizing pedestrians near Philadelphia City Hall while wearing a horror mask.
Morning spree around City Hall
In the early morning hours of 12 August 2026, a man wearing dark clothing and a white Halloween mask resembling the horror character Chucky harassed multiple pedestrians in Center City Philadelphia. Investigators report that the individual approached at least six people across a span of approximately 20 minutes in the area surrounding City Hall. The sequence began near 15th and Chestnut streets, where the suspect disrupted pedestrians and was refused service inside a local coffee shop.
Minutes later, the masked individual moved toward South Penn Square, where he continued attempting to frighten people on the sidewalk. Witness accounts and surveillance footage documented him walking aggressively toward commuters before attempting to pursue an unidentified man down the street.
Confrontation and physical injuries
During the spree, 25-year-old actress Jameka Wilson encountered the suspect near City Hall around 5:20 a.m. as she walked to an exercise class. After noticing the masked man moving toward another pedestrian, Wilson attempted to alert the woman. When the suspect turned his attention toward Wilson, she drew on her stage combat training from the University of the Arts and kicked him directly in the chest, forcing him to flee.
Crazy things happen in Philadelphia, to be honest. So I figured it was just an isolated incident, probably someone I wouldn't see again. I just didn't assume there was a pattern of behavior of targeting multiple people.
Around 5:30 a.m., the suspect confronted a 40-year-old woman jogging near 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Holding a mobile phone to her face with one hand behind his back, he repeatedly asked her if she was ready to die. The runner fled in panic, tripped during the escape, and suffered a severe leg injury that authorities stated will require extended medical treatment.
- Suspect disrupts pedestrians near 15th and Chestnut streets and is denied service at a cafe
- Suspect confronts actress Jameka Wilson near City Hall before being kicked in the chest
- Suspect attempts to frighten pedestrians and pursues a man near South Penn Square
- Suspect chases a jogger near 15th Street and JFK Boulevard, causing severe leg injuries
Social media motive and identification
Philadelphia Police Captain Jason Smith stated that the suspect recorded the encounters on his phone, likely seeking online notoriety or financial gain through social media content. Detectives identified three separate accounts linked to the suspect across TikTok and Instagram. Identification occurred after investigators reviewed footage in which the perpetrator pulled down the mask, revealing part of his face.
Authorities subsequently identified the suspect as 22-year-old Zymire Hughes, who was on probation from another county. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner condemned the acts during a press briefing, noting that the victims were placed in genuine fear for their lives.
It is obvious that this person feared for their life.
Nationwide manhunt and pending charges
Hughes left Philadelphia approximately two nights before authorities announced the warrant. According to police officials, Hughes maintains commercial ties in Nevada and California, regularly traveling between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The Philadelphia Police Department has partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service to execute a nationwide arrest warrant.
Once apprehended, Hughes faces multiple criminal charges, including terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment, recklessly endangering another person, and intimidation. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding Hughes's whereabouts to contact emergency services rather than approaching him directly.
