A Chester officer is recovering after being shot by a driver following a short pursuit and crash near West 14th Street and Arbor Drive.
www.cbsnews.com
Chester officer recovering, suspect dead after shooting amid brief pursuit: officials
By Ryan Hughes, Chase Morrison, CBS News Philadelphia Staff
Updated on: February 17, 2024 / 11:25 PM EST / CBS Philadelphia
CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer asked the community for prayers Saturday night as questions remain about what happened when an officer was shot amid a short pursuit in Chester.
CBS Philadelphia learned that Officer Steve Byrne, a senior detective with Chester police, is recovering at Crozer-Chester Medical Center following the shooting.
"We are thankful that our hero, our police officer, is doing well," Stollsteimer said.
According to investigators, around 3:30 p.m. Officer Byrne was trying to stop a male driver police said was wanted for a homicide near 9th and Kerlin Streets earlier Saturday.
That led to a brief pursuit, and when the suspect crashed near West 14th Street and Arbor Drive, police said that driver started shooting.
"As he pulled that vehicle over or attempted to pull that vehicle over the driver got out of the car, shooting his gun and firing at the police officer," Stollsteimer said. "The police officer returned fire and the officer was wounded."
CBS Philadelphia was told Byrne was hit in the torso and rushed to the emergency room, where members of the Chester police department gathered Saturday night to support each other. The driver and suspected shooter was also taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Earlier in the day, resident Jeff Leins told CBS Philadelphia he heard more than a dozen shots. "Then, I heard shots fired back...I heard maybe about 10 of them," he said.
More than 45 evidence markers covered the ground as multiple police departments responded.
Neighbors in the area said they were surprised by the shooting.
"Because it's quiet," Rebecca Oliver said. "It's always quiet you can hear a pin drop over here even at night."
During a news conference, the Chester City Mayor Stefan Roots called it a sad day and said he's thankful the officer is expected to pull through.
"I will say this to anyone who wants to challenge our police officers when they're in the line of duty, don't," Mayor Roots said. "It turns out in a tragedy like we've seen today."
Police have not released the name of the suspect who died.
Officer Byrne is now the third officer in Delaware County shot in the last 10 days.