Ex-Con, 60, Arrested in SEPTA Bus Shooting
By Simone Weichselbaum, Philadelphia Daily News
Mar. 20–Six days after Cornelius Kelsey allegedly pumped two bullets into a man’s head on a crowded SEPTA bus, police arrested the graying man inside his Kensington home.
Kelsey, 60, was charged yesterday with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and gun violations, police said.
The victim, Arnold Grissom, remained at Temple University Hospital in stable condition.
Grissom’s family couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday.
Police officials said they’re hoping the arrest will ease riders’ fears about taking SEPTA.
“A lot of people depend on SEPTA,” Capt. Sharon Seaborough of Central Detectives said at a news conference yesterday. Kelsey’s arrest should “relieve some of their fears.”
About 5 p.m. last Tuesday, Grissom — a carpenter on his way to work — climbed onto the Route 33 bus around 21st and Diamond streets, police said. Inside, a short man with glasses stood in his path.
“Where’s my money?” Kelsey allegedly asked Grissom, according to one witness, police said. Then, two shots rang out and Kelsey hopped off the bus, leaving a wounded Grissom and sending panicked passengers racing from the bus.
Police said Kelsey and Grissom apparently knew each other, but they gave no motive for the shooting during yesterday’s news conference.
Philadelphia and Camden police and FBI agents sorted through dozens of anonymous tips and witness interviews, officials said, before homing in on Kelsey, who has been arrested more than 24 times and who spent years in prison on a manslaughter conviction, court records show.
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