Police Seek Public's Help In Identifying Suspect In Chester Shooting Involving City Controller
By Elizabeth Hur and Oren Liebermann
DELAWARE COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) – Two people, including the Chester City Controller, are hospitalized after being shot at a gas station Friday afternoon in Chester and police seek the public's help in identifying the suspect.
Friday night, Eyewitness News got a new look at how the shooting unfolded -- the view from surveillance cameras mounted inside the gas station's mini mart.
Confusion and chaos were caught on camera with people running for their lives into the Sunoco mini mart. At the time, gun shots were ringing out, outside.
At one point, the video shows a woman scrambling into the mart, holding her back. That was Chester City Controller Edith Blackwell after police say she was shot once in the back by a stray bullet.
Jorge Rosas was working the register at the time. He recalls hearing multiple gun shots but didn't see the shooting. He says Blackwell had just walked out after purchasing a newspaper from him. Seconds later, the shooting broke out.
Rosas said, "I said are you ok? And she said, I think I got shot."
The video then goes onto show Blackwell taking off her coat with her hand still on her back. Minutes later, police arrive and officials say one of the responding officers happened to be a paramedic. He rendered aid at the scene before taking her to the hospital.
Mayor John Linder said, "She's doing fine. She's in stable condition, nothing life threatening."
Police identified the second male victim as 25-year-old Brennen Johnson. Police say he was shot in both of his legs and was transported to the hospital by private vehicle.
Police Commissioner Joseph Bail Jr added, "We're currently looking for a light colored vehicle with unknown number of people in there and there was one black male that was on foot that began shooting someone at the gas pumps."
Police released several surveillance photos on Saturday and are seeking the public's help in locating the white sedan and the man pictured below.
It happened at the Sunoco on 9th and Kerlin Streets, the same gas station where the owner was shot and killed in December during a robbery. The mayor says enough is enough and he is taking action.
"We are using every resource we have. We're watching that corner closely. We will continue to intensify our efforts to bring these people in and we're not going to tolerate shooting in our city. I'm not going to tolerate it," Mayor Linder said.
As of Friday night, Blackwell and Johnson were listed in stable condition. Turns out, police ended up arresting Johnson after the shooting on drug charges. When asked if Johnson was then the intended target, officials said, their investigation was continuing.
In the meantime, anyone with information is asked to call Chester Police Detective Bureau. Their number is (610) 447-7908.
