Chester City Controller wounded in gas station shooting

CHESTER, Pa. - February 10, 2012 Chester City Controller remains hospitalized, but is expected to be released on Saturday after being struck by a stray bullet at a gas station in Chester.

Officials say this case proves that no one is immune to the violence that plagues the city of Chester.

63 year old Edith Blackwell was sworn into office as Chester's City Controller on January first.

Just before 3:00pm Friday afternoon, she went to the Sunoco Mini Mart at 9th & Kerlin Streets to buy a newspaper.

Surveillance video shows her walking out of the store after paying for the newspaper. Seconds later, you see people scurrying for cover with the shooter running by in the background firing a barrage of bullets.

A man identified by police as 25 year old Brennen Johnson was shot in both legs.

Seconds later, Ms. Blackwell runs back into the store holding her back after being hit by a stray bullet.

She called 911and stayed in the store until paramedics arrived to take her to the hospital.

Officials later announced that Blackwell was very lucky.

"She got hit in the back by one of the stray bullets, and she's over here now, but she's okay," said Chester Mayor John Linder of Blackwell, who was being treated at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.

"We are very concerned that this has happened to our controller," said Councilwoman Portia West. "She's a very lovely person, but we thank God that she is doing well."

Police Commissioner Joseph Bail, Jr. says they are looking through surveillance video, hoping to identify the gunman, identified right now only as a black male in dark clothes.

The surveillance video shows the gunman firing numerous times without any regard for who was in the way. State Representative Thadeus Kirkland says it could have been a disaster.

"We're currently looking for a light-colored, late 80s motor vehicle without hubcaps that was seen fleeing the scene," said Bail.

Police still don't know what the shooting was about, but Johnson, the intended target, was wanted by Upland Police for drugs.

Meanwhile, State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland says not only does the prove that anyone can be hit by a stray bullet, but it could have been a catastrophe.

"There are three gas stations in that area. Who knows what the bullets might have done if they had penetrated one of those tanks. We are very fortunate that this is all that happened," said Kirkland.

"I feel a certain amount of responsibility to do everything I can to keep my city safe, and that's what we're going to do. We're going to bring out every resource we can to resolve this. Whether it was a council person that got shot, anyone getting shot in our city is not going to be tolerated," said Mayor Linder.

The gas station is the same one where the owner Mohammed Fareed was shot to death back in December in what was described as a botched robbery.

Controller Blackwell is expected to be released from the hospital Saturday morning.

Police are still searching for the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to call Chester Police.