Police-shooter still at large

Two years ago today, Westtown-East Goshen Cpl. Timothy Hubbard was shot and injured, and the law-enforcement community remains concerned that the shooter has not been apprehended. "We will keep investigating, we will not rest, and we will not be satisfied until we capture this suspect and bring him to justice," said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.

Hubbard was on patrol on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 11:25 p.m. when he came upon a suspicious vehicle parked at the intersection of East Strasburg Road and Ridley Creek Lane in East Goshen Township. This vehicle, believed to be a dark colored 1990s Honda Accord with a Delaware registration plate, was found parked and unattended at the intersection.
 When Hubbard turned into the Ashbridge Preserve parking lot, he encountered a white male and white female who were engaged in a verbal dispute in the far corner of the stone parking area. After Hubbard exited his marked police vehicle, the female immediately walked toward the parked car. The male approached Hubbard, produced a small-caliber handgun, and fired two shots. Hubbard was shot in the hand but was still able to return fire. As Hubbard retreated to his vehicle for cover, the male fled eastbound on East Strasburg Road - toward Willistown Township - in the Honda Accord.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid- to late-20s, about six feet tall, with a husky build and short dark hair. At the time of the shooting, the suspect had no facial hair and was wearing a grey hooded pullover sweatshirt, blue jeans and a baseball cap. His companion, a white female wearing a light-colored t-shirt, was in her early- to mid-20s, with long brown hair. Authorities believe clothing found at the scene may help identify the couple: a limited-edition, dark-blue, baseball cap with a Wilmington Blue Rocks insignia that says "Christiana Care Health System" on the back, and a medium-size, short-sleeve, blue Villanova basketball shirt with a tag still attached.

Hubbard, who was treated at the Crozer Chester Medical Center for the gunshot wound, has been unable to return to active duty with the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department due to his injury. Over the past year, investigators have conducted more than 150 interviews and received assistance from federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies. Thanks to donations, the Citizens Crime Commission is offering a reward of $30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. To be eligible, information must be called in to Citizens Crime Commission tipline at 215-546-TIPS; callers will recieve a code number from the operator. Anyone with information about the shooting can also call Westtown-East Goshen Sgt. William Cahill at 610-701-9358 or Chester County Lt. Kevin Dykes at 610-344-6801.