Officer injured in Chester shootout

A Chester Housing Authority police officer was shot, a suspect is dead and two others remain hospitalized after a wild shootout yesterday in Chester, six days after city officials extended a state of emergency in hopes of quelling crime.

The incident took place on Rose Street around 4:20 p.m. as Officer Luis Rodriguez reportedly saw a man climbing out a second-floor window while responding to a burglary report. Moments later, shots were fired. Police then fired at two men fleeing the scene, killing one. Police officials could not be reached last night to confirm details.

Rodriguez was listed in stable condition along with a 16-year-old boy, Shaquille Byrd, according to a woman at the hospital who identified herself as the boy’s mother. It was unclear how Byrd was involved.

The emergency curfew seemed to work at first, but violence returned recently.

“I think that [the state of emergency] is working in some areas, but when you have those hot areas I don’t think it’s working,” said Rosetta Carter, a former mayoral candidate. “I think they need better technology.”