Suspect wounded after being shot by police responding to call in Chester, Pa.

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- A man is hospitalized and facing charges after allegedly opening fire on Chester, Pa., police officers late Wednesday night, prompting them to return fire in self-defense.

The incident occurred around 11:35 p.m. on the 100 block of West 21st Street, where officers had responded to a domestic disturbance.

That's when, police say, a man unrelated to the initial call began shooting at them without warning.

"When you see police, you think safety," said Kenneth Lenair, a Chester resident who witnessed the shooting. "For things like this to happen with the police present it tells you that we're living in a different time."

Lenair described the scene as chaotic.

"You didn't expect someone to walk up and start shooting with the police out here," he said. "They neutralized him. I guess they took him to the hospital or whatever, but it was a wild night last night."

Chester City police confirmed that several officers fired at the suspect, who was struck multiple times. No officers were injured in the exchange.

The man was taken to a hospital and is expected to face charges upon release.

"It was a disturbance across the street, a domestic incident-then some gentleman just walked up and started shooting at the police," Lenair said.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the Special Investigations Unit is reviewing the officers' use of force.

In a statement, he said, "I will await the full investigation, but I can say preliminarily that officers involved were fired upon and justifiably returned fire in their own defense."

The investigation remains ongoing.