Shooting erupts outside Subaru Park in Chester hours after Union II game; 8 injured

CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Investigators in Chester, Delaware County are working to piece together what led to a shooting that left eight people injured outside Subaru Park, the home of the Philadelphia Union.

Investigators focused on the area around parking lot A near Delaware Avenue and Norris Street.

Lot A is littered with liquor bottles, medic gloves and shell casings.

A woman, who didn't want to be identified, told Action News more than 100 Chester area high school students gathered Sunday night in the lot to celebrate the approaching end of the school year and Memorial Day weekend.

That's when a gunman opened fire around 11:20 p.m.

"It was an alright crowd. Nobody was really arguing and stuff like that. Everyone was having fun, playing around. Ten minutes after I left, they said the whole thing got shot up. And all the kids were running," the woman said.

She said she'd just left to change her shoes and planned to come back when she learned several of her friends had been shot.

"When you respond to scene like this, it's very chaotic. People are pulling away, people are yelling, people are running and it's our duty to secure the scene. I know there was a lot of people out there and I urge you to come forward," said Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky.

Police say a 17-year-old male was shot in the shoulder and torso. He was taken to an area hospital and listed in critical condition.

Seven others were also shot and wounded. Gretsky said the remaining victims -- between the ages of 17 and 18 -- suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The woman took video outside Crozer Chester Medical Center after the shooting, which she described as chaotic as parents desperately searched for their children.

She said Lot A outside the soccer stadium on the Delaware River is a popular spot for teens to hang out.

"It's where they come to hang out, and basically have fun so they are not getting in trouble in the streets. Somewhere safe," the woman said.

It's still unclear what sparked the gunfire.

The Philadelphia Union's affiliate team, Union II, held a game earlier in the day at Subaru Park which ended hours before the shooting.

A spokesperson for the Union released this statement to Action News:

"We are saddened by the gun violence that took place in Chester at the intersection of Norris and Delaware Street late last night. The events happened several hours after a second team match had ended and occurred in an outer parking lot area on the opposite side of the bridge that had not been open for the game. Anyone with information or questions regarding the investigation should be directed to Chester City Police Department."