Suspect identified after police chase, deadly officer-involved shooting in Delaware County
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Torraize Armstrong, reportedly got out of the car and began firing at police.
CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A suspect who was shot and killed during a police chase and officer-involved shooting in Delaware County was identified on Monday.
Authorities also say the officer involved in this shooting, a 16-year-veteran on the Chester police force, is at home recovering after being shot.
The incident began Saturday morning in Chester, Pennsylvania, after police received reports of a drive-by shooting.
Detective Steve Byrne, who initially had the day off, came in to help with the investigation, officers say.
Hours later, Byrne found a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the drive-by.
When Byrne attempted to stop the vehicle, a police pursuit began.
WATCH | Authorities provide updates on police chase, deadly officer-involved shooting in Chester, Pa.
It ended in Chester when the driver of the suspect vehicle crashed on West 14th Street and Arbor Drive.
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Torraize Armstrong, reportedly got out of the car and began firing.
"He jumped out of the car, and that individual, Torraize Armstrong, literally began opening fire at the moment he got out of the vehicle," said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
Officers say he struck Byrne in the side before officers fired back, striking Armstrong repeatedly.
"Mr. Armstrong was killed by that gunfire. He was wounded several times and was brought to the hospital, Crozer-Chester, where he died, I think Saturday evening," said Stollsteimer.
Byrne was also transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center.
Initial reports on Saturday stated Byrne had been shot twice, but officials clarified that the officer was wearing a tactical vest and only one bullet struck his side, which wasn't covered by the vest.
"So far, we had it that he was struck twice, but speaking with the doctors, he was actually struck once, but it went in and out on his left side," noted Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky.
Gretsky offered an update on Byrne's condition on Monday.
"We just received some good news. He was just released over the last two hours where he's home safe with his family," said Gretsky.
"The doctor walked in while I was there and gave him his discharge papers. He was with his wife, his mother -- who flew in from Florida -- and his grandmother. What a special moment that was," noted Chester Mayor Stefan Roots.
"Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, it worked," Roots added.
Police also confirmed that the gun Armstrong used in the officer-involved shooting was the same gun from the drive-by incident.
According to court documents, this was not Armstrong's first brush with the law. Reports reveal that he has a history of violent behavior, including a conviction for an accident involving death.
"Detective Byrne once again has become a hero for people in the City of Chester by stopping a very dangerous human being," said Stollsteimer.
Chester's Fraternal Order of Police president says he needs more officers to combat the violence that has plagued the city. He says over the last six years, the police department lost about 50 officers.
"We really have to do a better job here in Chester of retaining and recruiting officers, otherwise you're going to have issues like this happen," said President Jonathan Ross.
This shooting marks the third officer that has been shot in Delaware County within two weeks.
