Child Found Dead in Shooting at Chipotle Near Temple University

 Police Respond to Death at Restaurant Near Campus

A child was found dead following a shooting inside a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University in North Philadelphia on Monday, January 12, 2026, according to authorities.

Image Source: CBS Philadelphia / YouTube

The incident occurred at the Chipotle location in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, near the university’s student center. Philadelphia police and Temple University campus police responded to the scene after receiving reports of a person found unresponsive inside the restaurant.

Officers confirmed that the victim was a juvenile and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victim Discovered Inside Bathroom

Authorities said a restaurant employee discovered the child inside a bathroom at approximately 5 p.m. Emergency responders were called immediately, but the victim could not be saved.

Police stated the child had suffered a gunshot wound. Due to the victim’s age, officials have not released the child’s identity or additional personal details.

Investigators have not confirmed how long the victim had been inside the restroom before being found.

Campus Alert Issued as Investigation Begins

Following the discovery, Temple University issued a TU Alert to students, faculty, and staff, warning them to avoid the area as police conducted their investigation. A large police presence remained around the restaurant and nearby streets for several hours.

University officials said the alert was issued out of an abundance of caution and emphasized that safety remains a priority for the campus community.

Classes and campus operations were not immediately canceled, though some nearby areas were temporarily restricted.

Circumstances of Shooting Remain Unclear

As of Monday evening, investigators had not determined whether the shooting occurred inside the restaurant bathroom or elsewhere before the victim was found. Police have not released information about a possible motive or whether the incident was targeted.

No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been announced. Detectives continue to review evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze surveillance footage from the area.

Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that details may change as more information becomes available.

Police Ask Public for Information

Philadelphia police are asking anyone who may have information related to the incident to come forward. Investigators believe that tips from the public could be critical in determining what happened and identifying those responsible.

Officials urged anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident or who noticed suspicious activity to contact police.

The shooting has raised serious concerns among students, staff, and nearby residents. Authorities said additional updates will be released as the investigation progresses.