Police in Philadelphia are searching for a man who wore a Chucky mask and chased people, asking them 'are you ready to die?' The suspect is believed to have targeted around six people at around 5.30pm on August 12.
Footage Shows Jogger Fleeing
Chilling footage shows a female jogger running away from the man, who is dressed in dark clothing and the iconic mask from the 1988 film Child's Play. The man made threatening comments with his arm placed behind his back before fleeing into an underground rail station.
A police spokesman said: 'The offender made threatening comments while holding his hand behind his back as they approached, causing the complainant to stumble and sustain injury.'
Witnesses Describe Encounters
Luanda Marinho told CBS News she encountered the masked man while meeting a friend for a morning run. 'He starts asking, 'Do you guys want to race me? I bet I am faster than you. Want to race me?' He asked a few times, but none of us acknowledged him. Very weird,' Marinho recounted.
Another woman, Jameka Wilson, told the outlet she confronted the man by squaring up to him after he approached her. 'I figured it was smart to turn around and face him. I was like, 'OK, well, let's fight.' I put my hands up. I covered my face,' Wilson said. She added that she kicked the man, described by police as between 16 and 25 years old and around five foot eight in height, 'in the middle of the chest' and he 'stumbled back' before running away.
Police Take the Threat Seriously
Jason Smith, a captain in the Philadelphia police, told reporters the man was 'targeting men and women, just whoever he appears to come across.' 'It looks like he's attempting to scare or antagonise them,' he added. Referencing Ms Marinho's encounter, Mr Smith continued: 'He chases her, gets in front of her. 'Are you ready to die?' He makes that statement twice. Then she proceeds to run away from her. She injured herself in the process.'
'Some people may find this situation to be funny. Rest assured, we do not. We're taking this very seriously. We are going to find this individual,' Mr Smith said. Police believe the man was filming the incidents with his phone, and officers are now scouring social media for clues to his identity. The suspect is facing charges including terroristic threats, simple assault and other offenses, according to Mr Smith.
