Philadelphia police are asking the public for help finding a person who wore a horror-style mask and chased a woman near City Hall last week. Officials say the person also made threatening comments to her during the chase.
The incident happened around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, near 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, according to a statement from Philadelphia police. The video shows of what the officials said a 40-year-old woman, who was jogging in athletic wear, was chased by the masked person.
Police told NBC Philadelphia that the masked person held a phone in front of the woman while chasing her. During the chase, police say the person repeatedly asked, “Are you ready to die?”
Woman was reportedly hurt while trying to get away from the masked person
According to the police statement, the masked person made threatening comments while approaching the woman. This caused her to stumble and get injured. Before the chase near City Hall, the same masked person was seen bothering people near 15th and Chestnut streets. Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith told NBC Philadelphia that the person was also turned away from a nearby Dunkin’ location.
A woman is speaking out after she says she fought back against a suspect who police say has been terrorizing people in Center City Philadelphia while wearing a "Chucky doll" mask. https://t.co/jMEGsaRgcX pic.twitter.com/cdVquEDroL
— ABC News (@ABC) August 19, 2026
Police say the masked person was last seen entering SEPTA’s Suburban Station, and the person was carrying a blue and black plaid backpack, which stood out in the video footage. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers joggers can face, such as when a jogger pushed a woman onto the road in front of a bus nine years ago.
Police describe the suspect as a man who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and between 16 and 20 years old. According to the police statement, he was wearing a white baby doll-style Halloween mask, had black hair, and carried a black and blue plaid backpack. Capt. Smith said the mask looked like the Chucky doll from the “Child’s Play” horror movie series. Police have released video and photos of the person to help identify him.
CHASED BY 'CHUCKY'? Video shows a suspect wearing an eerie baby doll-style Halloween mask allegedly chasing down a 40-year-old woman, causing her to trip and sustain injuries before fleeing into SEPTA's Suburban Station in Philadelphia.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 18, 2026
Police are searching for the suspect,… pic.twitter.com/SrwLaDnyPe
As of early Tuesday afternoon, no arrests had been made in connection with the incident. Police have warned the public not to approach the suspect. In their statement, they said, “If you see this suspect do not approach, contact 911 immediately.” The case is one of several recent incidents involving alleged pursuit, such as when a Texas woman was accused of chasing another after making eye contact at a Dallas Goodwill.
