Suspect dead after police pursuit, shooting in Delaware County; injured officer recovering

CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A suspect was shot and killed in Delaware County on Saturday after a police pursuit ended with an officer-involved shooting and one officer being shot.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Police say officers were pursuing a suspect vehicle that was believed to be involved in another shooting.

The pursuit led officers from Chester into Upland, then back into Chester where the driver of the suspect vehicle crashed on West 14th Street and Arbor Drive.

A shooting broke out between police and the suspect after the crash, officials say.

"The police officer was trying to stop a vehicle that needed to be stopped from a prior incident. As he attempted to pull that vehicle over, the vehicle driver got out of the car shooting his gun, firing at the police officer. The police officer returned fire, the officer was wounded," said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer on the incident.

The officer involved in this shooting, identified as Detective Steve Byrne from Chester, was shot twice in the stomach, sources say.

Both Byrne and the suspect were transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center after the shooting.

The suspect was initially placed in critical condition but has since been pronounced dead.

Byrne, a 16-year veteran on the force, is doing well and is expected to be released soon, officials told Action News.

"We are thankful that our hero, our police officer is doing well," said Stollsteimer.

"This is a sad day for the city of Chester, we do not like this type of crime. To anyone who wants to challenge police officers in the line of duty, don't," said Chester Mayor Stefan Roots.

"We're so happy, we're so blessed that our officer has survived his wounds and is looking good," Roots added.

Police have not released any further details on the suspect.

Upland Borough Police Department asked residents in a Facebook post to avoid the area surrounding the medical center as the investigation continues.

Neighbors who spoke with Action News said the gunfire was rattling. One woman who was near the scene at the time of the shooting said she dropped to the floor when she heard gunshots.

"He got out of the car and was aiming his firearm at the police officers, that's when police started firing at him. There was like gunshots all over the place," recalled Elizabeth Laurie from Chester.

Laurie's car was hit by several bullets during the shooting.

"I never in all my years seen anything like that," she said.

Another man told Action News he saw the shooting unfold, and was shocked by the scene.

"We've heard gunshots before but never seen actually somebody getting shot," noted Matt Beers from Chester.

This incident marks the third officer that has been shot in Delaware County within just 10 days.

"Our thoughts are with Chester City Police and our FOP Lodge 19 brother who was shot in the line of duty. Thankful he is expected to recover. 3 Delco officers shot in 10 days. Violence against police needs to stop," noted Delaware County Fraternal Order of Police in a Facebook post.