Three people killed in Chester violence, including the suspect

Three people are dead in Chester following a shooting and stabbing early Wednesday, including the suspect who was shot by police, according to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.

Police responded around midnight Tuesday to the 900 block of Barclay Street after receiving calls about a man with a knife and gun trying to hurt people inside a home.

When police arrived, they discovered the man stabbing a woman. He did not stop despite police officers commands, officials said.

One officer shot him, officials said. The woman he stabbed was pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman was injured and taken to Christiana Hospital.

Prior to the stabbing, the suspect had pulled out a gun and shot another man inside the home who was also pronounced dead, according to witnesses.

The suspect was ultimately pronounced dead as well.

The Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the homicides while the Special Investigations Unit is looking into the incident of the police officer firing a weapon.

“I am incredibly sad about this tragic night that has destroyed a family, traumatized a neighborhood, and shaken our entire community,” Chester Mayor Stefan Roots said in a statement.

“I thank and commend our brave police officers who responded swiftly and decisively to prevent further harm and attend to the victims,” Roots said.

In 2016, Chester had the highest homicide rate of any city in the United States. That year, it had 23 homicides and the following year it logged 29.

In 2019, the District Attorney’s Office initiated a program called the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods that is dedicated to reducing gun violence through community outreach and focused enforcement of gun crimes.

Last year, the city saw 11 homicides and this year two so far.