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Teenage bystander killed near her Philadelphia charter school

The Philadelphia teenage bystander killed as she walked home from school had a "smile that lit up the hallway," an official said.

By Frances Burns
A 15-year-old bystander was gunned down near her Philadelphia charter school when a fight between teenagers turned violent. UPI/Brian Kersey
A 15-year-old bystander was gunned down near her Philadelphia charter school when a fight between teenagers turned violent. UPI/Brian Kersey | License Photo

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- A 15-year-old bystander was gunned down near her Philadelphia charter school when a fight between teenagers turned violent.

Aisha Abdur-Rhaman was on her way home from Delaware Valley Charter School when teenagers began brawling Monday afternoon outside Albert Einstein Medical Center, police said. One of the teens pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting Aisha and a young man.

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Police announced a $20,000 reward for information on the gunman Tuesday.

The man, 19, remained in critical condition at the hospital. Police said he was also not involved in the fight.

Witnesses said Aisha ran for about a half block after she was shot, collapsing on the sidewalk.

At the school, students put stuffed animals on Aisha's locker in tribute to her. The principal, Eric McCulla, said both students and teachers were visiting grief counselors.

"It's hit them very, very hard. The teachers that taught her, they just saw her yesterday, and coming to grips with the fact she's not coming back," he told WPVI-TV.

The school's CEO, Ernest Holiday, said Aisha played basketball and was "well liked."

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"Had a very beautiful smile, a smile that lit up the hallway. She was a great student, academically also. It's a terrible loss to us," Holiday said.

In January, two Delaware Valley students were shot accidentally when another student brought a gun to school.

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