For the second time in a month, new Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland is trying to keep the lid on his simmering city in the wake of a fatal, police-involved shooting.
Saturday afternoon police responding to a report of a stolen vehicle wound up in a shootout with suspects at Union and Parker streets in the city. City police Sgt. Alan Davis was hit in the arm and torso. He was rushed to Crozer Chester Medical Center with wound to his shoulder and torso. One person in the car, believed to be stolen in Darby Borough, was killed. Another was wounded. He now faces charges.
The fatal police-involved shooting is the second in a month and increased the already tense relationship between city residents and the police force.
Back on Feb. 8, police opened fire on a car after they say a man inside pointed a gun at them. Shalamar Longer, 33 was killed.
County District Attorney Jack Whelan said the initial investigation showed the shooting to be justified. That did not stop questions from being raised about the circumstances surrounding the incident - and the amount of force that was used. Dozens of bullets were fired at the car.
Those same questions are being asked again after the Saturday incident.
Things grew tense at the scene Saturday night, as residents scuffled with police.
Sunday morning, Mayor Kirkland again was asking for calm as police and investigators collect information in the case.
He praised his officers for exercising restraint while dealing with a hostile crowd.
He also took the time to once again urge citizens- in particular the city's young residents - to make "good choices."
"Let us get through this," Kirkland said. "We will be very transparent and honest with our findings."
It's ironic that Kirkland finds himself in this position.
He campaigned against the incumbent Democratic Mayor John Linder for what he said was a police department - and a top cop Joe Bail - that was out of touch with the community.
Now Kirkland is trying to make sure those feelings don't bubble over into more violence on his watch.
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