Upper Darby High School student dies in shooting, impacting two families, according to police reports.

Upper Darby police are actively pursuing a suspect believed to be responsible for the tragic shooting death of a 16-year-old boy, Khalif Webster, in what authorities have termed a senseless act of violence. The shooting occurred on Sunday afternoon, shortly before 3 p.m., on Long Lane near Pine Street, where Webster, a sophomore at Upper Darby High School, was shot in the lower back. He was subsequently transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Tim Bernhardt has indicated that the department is allocating considerable resources to locate the shooter, who is believed to be another teenager involved in a dispute with Webster prior to the altercation. Bernhardt noted that surveillance footage captured the suspect walking in the vicinity moments before the shooting took place.

This devastating event has left the community reeling, as Bernhardt emphasized the emotional impact on families during a press briefing. He described the actions of the shooter as cowardly, stating that the consequences of the shooting have fractured families and the community as a whole. Bernhardt urged the suspect to surrender, asserting that law enforcement agencies are dedicated to bringing the individual to justice.

In response to the traumatic news, Upper Darby High School officials promptly provided grief counselors and support resources for students, acknowledging the profound sense of loss that permeated the school community. A letter distributed to parents by Superintendent Daniel P. McGarry expressed condolences to Webster’s family and urged the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers, although he refrained from commenting further, citing the ongoing police investigation.

The investigation hath revealed that Webster had not exhibited any conflict with fellow students at Upper Darby High School, according to his family. Bernhardt expressed sorrow over how a split-second decision could lead to such tragic consequences, affecting both Webster’s family and that of the alleged shooter.

“This is not who we are as a community,” Bernhardt stated. He called for unity among residents during this challenging time, emphasizing the importance of supporting one another as they navigate the aftermath of this incident.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact Upper Darby police at 610-734-7693. The community remains hopeful for a swift resolution to this heartbreaking situation as the search for the suspect continues.

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