1 dead, 1 injured after shooting near Chester football practice field

CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- One person is dead and another is recovering in the hospital after being shot near a park in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The gunfire erupted near Memorial Park as the Chester Panthers football team was still dispersing.

President of the football organization, Greg Graves, says he had just left after the practice ended but returned to the chaotic scene.

"I wasn't here when the initial shooting occurred, but I did pull up, and see the individual laid there on Engle Street," said Graves. "Our hearts go out to the family of the young man who didn't make it. It's really sad."

Police say the shooting happened Monday night around 8:30 p.m.

Officers responded to the 700 block of Engle Street to find a 17-year-old and 18-year-old shot and wounded. Both were taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center for treatment.

Authorities say the 18-year-old, who was hit multiple times, died at the hospital.

The 17-year-old was shot once in the leg and is now listed as stable at the hospital.

"This is an active investigation. I have my investigators, I have our crime scene, I have detectives from the criminal investigation unit. We have a full-court press on this right now. Hopefully, we want to bring this to justice as soon as possible," said Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretzky.

On Tuesday afternoon, police in Chester were still trying to figure out what exactly happened and find who was responsible.

Action News is told the victims were not affiliated with the football team in Chester.

"I don't want this to portray that this had something to do with the football program, because it didn't. It had nothing to do with that, it's an unfortunate situation. It's senseless gun violence," says Commissioner Gretzky.

Community members are now calling for increased security as investigators work to track down those responsible.

Lead interventionist with Gun Violence Intervention & Empowerment (GVINE), Geo Stockman, says this shooting highlights the dangers these young men face, even while on the field.

"The fact that it happened is tragic, but we're still going to be here, even in more force and make sure it's safe," said Stockman. "We find in our work we have a lack of father figures and male positive role models in these homes and in these young men's lives. That's what we are trying to provide."