Boy, 16, killed on way to school as daylight shootings unnerve Chester

The 16-year-old boy killed on his way to Chester High School on Friday was identified by police late Friday night as Zion Abdullah.

His death was one of three shootings over a three-hour period in the waterfront city, officials said.

Police said late Friday that they do not know if any of the incidents are related, but their timing and proximity prompted officials to put the high school on lockdown. In a fourth incident, police fired at a man with a gun.

"There are a bunch of kids running around with guns shooting each other," said Chester Police Chief James Nolan. He said there was no indication there was any organized crime element involved. "These kids don't have any regard for the lives of other people."

The boy was shot as he was walking at 9th and Barkley Streets about 7:50 a.m. He ran to 10th and Fulton Streets, where he collapsed and died, police said. He was discovered in the parking lot area of the Christopher Columbus school, which students frequently use as a shortcut in making their way to school.

Abdullah's death was the city's 12 homicide for the year.

While police were investigating the teen's death, Eric Flood, 20, was wounded in an exchange of gunfire between two cars at 9th and Kerlin Streets at 9:18 a.m., officials said. The victim arrived at the hospital in a pink Mercury Grand Marquis with shattered windows. Police were looking for a burgundy-colored sedan. Flood was struck twice in the back, police said. He was listed in stable condition at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, officials said.

Officials ordered the lockdown at the high school after the second shooting and were about to lift it when a third shooting was reported on the 200 block of West 23d Street about 10:57 a.m. Two parked vehicles were struck. No injuries were reported, Nolan said.

The first two shootings happened a few blocks apart, while the third was about a mile away.

Officials allowed parents to go to the high school and sign out their children if they wanted.

The fourth incident happened at 12:28 p.m. in the 1300 block of West 9th Street as police pursued a subject with a gun near 8th and Pennell Street. Police fired at the individual when he turned and pointed a gun in the officer's direction. A 17-year-old was arrested, Nolan said.