Delco Probe Of Police Shooting In Chester Suggests It Was Justified
MEDIA, Pa. (CBS) -- Preliminary indications are the early Monday shooting death of a Chester man at the hands of police officers from three municipalities was justified.
What would have been a minor traffic stop for a blown light bulb turned into a brief police chase through Upland Borough and Chester Township, ending on a front lawn in the city of Chester. The driver of the fleeing car, 33-year-old Shalamar Longer, had a criminal record dating back 16 years, according to Delaware County DA Jack Whelan.
Detectives talked to Longer's cousin, who was in the car at the time.
"Shalamar had indicated and the passenger confirmed that he was not going back to jail under any circumstances apparently," Whelan told reporters during a press conference in Media.
Shalamar pulled out a gun, but never got off a shot. A half dozen cops fired as many as 100 shots, but Whelan says they feared for their lives. And while the investigation continues, it appears no charges will be filed.
The cousin suffered a minor bullet wound to the ankle in the shooting.
