HARRISBURG, PA — A Philadelphia man accused of shooting another passenger aboard a SEPTA subway train last month will stand trial after a judge held all charges for court following a preliminary hearing.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that charges against Lester Perez, 27, also known as John Perez, were bound over to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in connection with the June 18 shooting at the Market-Frankford Line’s 15th Street Station in Center City.
According to investigators, Perez and the victim became involved in a verbal dispute inside a subway car before Perez allegedly shot the other man while still inside the train.
Authorities said the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was treated at an area hospital.
The Philadelphia Police Department investigated the incident and arrested Perez shortly after the shooting, according to the attorney general’s office.
Perez is charged with attempted murder, carrying a firearm without a license, aggravated assault, possessing an instrument of crime, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
“This case involved a brazen, senseless act of violence on a SEPTA subway with numerous passengers in close proximity when the defendant callously opened fire,” Sunday said in a statement. “Our partners with the Philadelphia police acted swiftly to take the shooter into custody, and our office will handle the prosecution of these very serious charges.”
The case is being prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General’s Special Prosecutor for Mass Transit, a position created under Act 40, legislation enacted in December 2023.
Perez’s formal arraignment is scheduled for July 15.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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