Multiple shooting victims at Chester party

UPDATED this morning:

Eight people were shot and another was killed in a shooting at birthday party at the Minaret Temple at about 11:30 p.m. in Chester Friday night, according to Chester police.  Police have a suspect in custody.

All nine victims were taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center.  Two remain in critical condition and six are in stable condition, police said.

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As many as six people were shot in Chester at around 11:40 Friday night during a social gathering at a fraternal organization's building on West 4th Street near Ward Street, according to Chester police.

Police said one victim was shot in the head, and two firearms were recovered from the scene.

Chester Mayor Wendell Butler Jr., reached at 1:45 Saturday morning, said he had visited the scene at Minaret Temple No. 174.

"There may be one fatality," he said. Asked about the number injured, he said, "I think it was more than half a dozen."

What led to the shootings was not immediately known, and early Saturday morning police said they were still investigating what unfolded at the temple in a residential neighborhood.

Butler did not know the exact nature of the party, but said "it probably was a young persons' party, probably people in their late teens." He added that some in attendance were possibly younger.

The mayor did not have an estimate of how many were at the party, but said detectives were talking to those who were at the temple.

Chester police said those who were injured in the shooting were taken to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, but could not confirm how many were injured nor whether anyone had died.

Mayor Butler said people were taken by bus from the temple to the Chester police station.

"That's where our detective division is," said Butler. "We have to interview everybody."

The mayor also said it was his understanding that "private security" was supposed to have been at the event.

Early reports suggested that dozens of witnesses may have been on the scene at the time of the shooting, and that the building was locked down.

A man who answered the temple's phone about 1:30 a.m. said it was still a frenzy of activity two hours after the shootings.

Police ask that anyone with information can contact Detective Randy Bothwell at (610) 447-8430.