'Who's Running Now?': Masked Man Terrorized People In Philly Before Fleeing State, DA Says

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia man who chased and harassed several people while wearing a horror-style mask one morning in Center City is now on the run from the law, authorities said.

At around 2 a.m. Aug. 12, Zymire Hughes took a bus into Center City, where he wore what police described as a "white baby doll style Halloween mask" and harassed about 15 people, authorities said Thursday at a news conference.

In one instance, he pretended to have a weapon as he chased a jogger and asked her, "Are you ready to die?" said Philadelphia Police Cpt. Jason Smith. Investigators say the victim severely injured her leg by stumbling while running away.

Hughes, 22, of Philadelphia, has been identified as the suspect. Investigators believe he fled the state to avoid arrest, said District Attorney Larry Krasner.

"If Zymire Hughes was trying to scare people and make them run, who's scared now?" Krasner said. "Who's running now?"

Earlier this week, police shared surveillance footage of a masked man chasing the jogger through the streets in Center City. The woman is the only victim who has come forward to law enforcement, Krasner said.

Hughes was actually chasing another man when he encountered the jogger near City Hall. She was the last victim he chased before fleeing to Suburban Station, Smith said.

Inside the station, a SEPTA police officer told him to take the mask off. Hughes tried to avoid the officer, who followed him around until Hughes exited back onto the street. He then took a bus back to 23rd and Venango steets, near where he lives, Smith said.

Overall, Hughes harassed 15 or 16 people in Center City within an hour, starting around 4:30 a.m. that day, officials said. Some of the incidents also took place around Chestnut Street, by 11th and 12th streets.

He never displayed a weapon or tried to lay his hands on anyone, Smith said.

Investigators don't know the suspect's motive, but they believe it may have been a social media stunt. However, they noted that Hughes has never uploaded anything of this nature on his Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Authorities believe Hughes packed his bags and fled Philadelphia two nights ago. But they're still in the process of recovering surveillance footage to see where he went.

Hughes has ties to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and he often travels back and forth between Philly and both cities, officials said.

He will be charged with felonies and misdemeanors, including assault for the jogger's injuries, Krasner said.

All charges stem from the encounter with the jogger, and authorities hope more victims come forward so they can file charges in those cases.

The location of these incidents in an affluent and tourist-heavy neighborhood has drawn attention. But Krasner said this conduct won't fly in any part of the city.

"This office cares deeply about people being bullied, victimized, frightened in every section of the city," Krasner said. "Yes, this has gotten a lot of attention. Yes, there are a lot of cameras in Center City. But we care about the victimization of people in every part of the city."

Anyone with information can call the Philadelphia Police Department's Central Detective Division at 215-686-3093 or 215-686-3094.