'Are you ready to die?' Chilling Chucky-masked stranger stalks jogger, remains on run in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA: A bizarre early-morning encounter in Philadelphia on Wednesday, August 12 has left police searching for a masked man who allegedly chased a woman while repeatedly asking her if she was ready to die.

The suspect was dressed in a white mask resembling the horror character Chucky and appeared to record himself during encounters with people in the area. 

The woman was hurt while attempting to flee.

Investigators have released images of the suspect and are now working to determine who he is and what prompted the disturbing behavior.

Masked man threatens jogger

The woman was jogging near Philadelphia City Hall when she encountered the masked stranger.

Instead of simply passing her, police say the man moved toward her while holding a cellphone in front of him. Then came the question. “Are you ready to die?”

Police said he repeated the words while pursuing the woman, turning an otherwise ordinary morning run into a frightening chase through Center City.

The woman attempted to get away but stumbled during the encounter and suffered an injury.

Although she was not seriously hurt, investigators are treating the incident as an assault because of the threatening behavior.

The confrontation was apparently not an isolated interaction.

Police said the same individual had been causing trouble in the area shortly beforehand, approaching other pedestrians also.

He was also reportedly refused service at a Dunkin’ while wearing the unusual mask. 

The suspect was last seen heading into SEPTA's Suburban Station, giving investigators another potential trail to follow.

Suspect remains at large

Investigators are examining the possibility that the recordings filmed by the suspect were intended for social media or another online platform.

That possibility remains unconfirmed.

Police have not said that the man was participating in a specific internet challenge, nor have they established why he was recording the encounters.

Investigators are looking through social-media platforms as they attempt to determine whether the suspect posted any of the footage.

If the videos were uploaded, investigators could potentially trace them back to an account and establish the suspect's identity.

For now, however, the person behind the mask remains unidentified.

Police say the suspect is believed to be a male between 16 and 20 years old, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall.

His clothing was relatively ordinary, but the mask was anything but.

He was wearing a white baby-doll-style Halloween mask with black hair, which police described as resembling the fictional Chucky character from the Child’s Play movies.

He was also carrying a distinctive black-and-blue plaid backpack.

Investigators released surveillance images in the hope that someone recognizes the unusual combination.

Police have emphasized that anyone who spots him should not attempt to approach or confront him and instead call 911.