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New details emerge after suspect killed in Chester police shootout
A suspect killed in a Chester police shootout has been linked to a drive-by shooting that occurred earlier that same day, according to the DA.
CHESTER, Pa. - Authorities in Delaware County are sharing new details about a police shootout over the weekend that left a suspect dead and a veteran detective injured.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer revealed Monday that police were investigating a drive-by shooting that happened earlier in the day Saturday, around 11:30 a.m. on the 900 block of Pennell Street.
Investigators soon learned that a victim was hurt in a shooting and that they were shot by someone firing out of the driver’s side of a black Ford Taurus. That vehicle sped off after the shooting, but Stollsteimer says video evidence led to the identification of Torraize Armstrong, 40, as a suspect.
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Authorities give update on shootout that left Chester detective injured, suspect dead
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer held a press conference Monday to provide an update on the weekend shootout that critically injured a veteran detective in Chester and left a suspect dead.
Later Saturday afternoon, around 4:30 p.m., Chester Police Detective Steven Byrne received word that Armstrong’s black Taurus had been spotted in the city of Chester. Byrne caught up with the Taurus and tried to make an ‘investigatory stop,’ but the driver took off, according to Stollsteimer.
Chester Police Detective Steven Byrne, a 16-year veteran of the Chester police force,
Neighboring police departments joined the pursuit as Armstrong fled into Upland, and eventually back into Chester.
Stollsteimer says Armstrong’s vehicle blew a tire before he tried unsuccessfully to make a turn and stepped out of the vehicle.
Authorities say Armstrong got out of the car and immediately began firing a 9mm handgun at police officers who had taken part in the chase.
Detective Byrne was struck by gunfire and returned fire, along with three other officers who were on the scene.
Chester police shooting: Officer shot attempting traffic stop; suspect shot and killed: officials
A police officer in Chester was shot during a traffic stop with a suspect, who was then shot and killed when the officer returned fire.
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Armstrong was struck by gunfire several times and later died from his injuries at Crozer-Chester Medical Center.
Stollsteimer says that an initial ballistics report showed that the 9mm Armstrong used to fire at police was the same gun used in the drive-by earlier in the day.
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Chester police officer released from hospital after being shot in the line of duty
Doctors released Detective Steven Byrne from the hospital after the 16-year vet was shot in the line of duty during an incident in Chester Saturday.
"We have now determined that he (Armstrong) was indeed the shooter that day," Stollsteimer said. "It was his vehicle that drove by and shot an individual at the 900 block of Pennell, and we have now tied that gun directly to Mr. Armstrong."
Byrne a 16-year veteran of the Chester police force, was released from the hospital on Monday.
"He's in very good spirits. He appreciates everyone checking on him," said Commissioner Gretsky
Officials declined to give more information on the drive-by shooting, but say the victim will survive their injuries.