Officer shot and suspect critically wounded in exchange of gunfire in Pennsylvania, authorities say

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — A southeastern Pennsylvania police officer was shot and a suspect was critically wounded in an exchange of gunfire Saturday, authorities said.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the Chester police officer is “doing well” after the afternoon incident in Chester.

Stollsteimer said the officer was trying to stop a vehicle and the driver “got out of the car shooting his gun.” He said the officer was hit but returned fire, critically injuring the person.

Mayor Stefan Roots said officials are thankful that the officer “has survived his wounds and is looking good.”

Steven Gretsky, Chester’s police commissioner, said the officer is one of the department’s senior detectives.

Upland Police Chief Mike Irey told WCAU-TV that Chester and Upland officers had been trying to pull over a car suspected of involvement in a shooting, but the driver fled and later crashed in Chester.

Further details on the circumstances of the shooting or the injuries to the officer and suspect weren’t immediately released.

Two police officers in another part of the county were wounded by gunfire earlier this month at a home in East Lansdowne that then burned down, with six sets of human remains later recovered from the ashes. Those officers were hospitalized and have since been released.