Police Link Bus Standoff Death to Philadelphia Double Homicide

A man died Monday after barricading himself on a SEPTA Route 18 bus in Philadelphia's Fox Chase neighborhood, where police said he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a standoff that lasted more than 12 hours.

Police responded around 5 a.m. after receiving reports of an armed man refusing to leave the bus at the end of its route. The standoff ended around 5 p.m., and the bus was removed from Oxford Avenue.

Family members identified the man as Lonnie Turner. Police are investigating whether he was connected to a double homicide in Cedarbrook, nearly five miles from the standoff location.

According to investigators, two women were found shot to death inside a home on the 8300 block of Williams Avenue after a reported fire about one hour before the bus standoff began.

The victims were identified by family members as 78-year-old Sadie Turner and Gabby Turner. Relatives said they were Lonnie Turner's sister and adoptive mother.

Family members told Action News they believe the standoff suspect was responsible for the deaths and said he had recently been released from jail and lived at the home where the women were found.

Julio Rosario, who owns an MMA academy across the street from the standoff scene, described the final moments of the police response.

"I just heard one shot; it was one, quick pat, and that was the end of the situation," said Julio Rosario, MMA academy owner.

Rosario said negotiators spent hours attempting to persuade Turner to surrender peacefully. Residents observed police efforts to reduce tension around the bus.

"From what I was hearing, they were really trying to get him to give up on his own. They tried to make things safe for him, telling some of the SWAT guys to put their guns away; I heard them trying to do that, trying to make him feel comfortable," said Julio Rosario, MMA academy owner.

Jennifer Sita, a Fox Chase resident, described the impact of the incident on the neighborhood as police maintained a large presence and nearby roads remained affected.

"From what I understand, it was a domestic violence thing; I think what's unsettling is it extended out into the community. He rode the bus, although it's in this little sleepy enclave; this is a main road," said Jennifer Sita, Fox Chase resident.

Sita also expressed concern about the effect of the armed standoff on residents and the bus driver involved. Police have not announced additional details about the homicide investigation.

"The scary thing is he had a gun, and he was riding the public transportation. I'm very sad for the bus driver that had to experience that," said Jennifer Sita, Fox Chase resident.

Residents said the situation created fear and uncertainty during the police response, which unfolded in a neighborhood where such incidents are uncommon.

"What ended up happening happened, but it was a long day of fear in the community and not knowing," said Jennifer Sita, Fox Chase resident.