Chester Mayor Speaks Out Against Violence After Deadly Shootout
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS/AP) — Officials in Chester, Delaware County made a call for calm one day after a police-involved shootout left one suspect dead and a police captain wounded.
Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland is vowing transparency in the investigation into Saturday's gunfire. He's also praising police for restraint in dealing with a hostile crowd afterward.
Police said officers trying to stop a vehicle Saturday were fired upon and returned fire, killing one suspect and wounding another. That suspect is in critical but stable condition.
Captain Alan Davis was taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center in critical condition but was listed in serious but stable condition Sunday.
Kirkland said as police were investigating the shooting, a crowd gathered, rumors circulated and tempers flared. Bricks and bottles were tossed at officers who responded with pepper spray.
Kirkland said not all information can be shared until the investigation's done, and cautioned against spreading hearsay.
"It does not help to rile up a crowd of persons who are already hurting," said the mayor.
Kirkland said easy access to illegal guns is at the heart of Chester's problems, and he called on young people to reject violence, and understand their actions have serious, sometimes deadly consequences.
"God has given us something, and that is the right, the opportunity to make a choice," he said. "And when we make good choices, good things happen, and when we make bad choices, bad things happen."
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