3 people dead in Chester, Pennsylvania, stabbing and shooting, officials say

Three people are dead after a domestic stabbing and shooting incident in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.

Investigators were called to a home on the 900 block of Barclay Street around 12 a.m. for a report of a man armed with a knife.

Neighbors said an erratic man woke them up as he was seen jumping on cars.

"I look out the window, and I see this guy like jumping on my car. My husband's car was parked there, and I'm like, 'Why is he like trampoline on the cars?" neighbor Terrell Jones-Dowling said.

Jones-Dowling said the man ended up approaching her.

"I started backing up because he was like, 'I got something for you. I'm going to take care of you.' I was like, 'I don't think so,'" she said.

The man eventually enters the home on Barclay Street, where law enforcement sources say the suspect had a previous relationship with a person inside. 

Neighbors watched as police moved in and ordered the man to come out.

"I heard a 'boom,' I thought they kicked the door in, but obviously it was a shot since the door was open," Jones-Dowling said.

Inside the home, police officers found the man attacking a woman with the knife, and he ignored an officer's commands to drop the weapon, the Delaware County District Attorney's Office said in a news release.

Prosecutors said an officer then fired at least one shot that killed the knife-wielding man.

The woman who was attacked by the suspect was later pronounced dead. Investigators later learned the suspect had shot another man inside the home, who was also pronounced dead.

Another woman received non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Christiana Hospital for treatment, Mayor Stefan Roots' office said in a news release.

Neighbors said the victims had only lived on the block for about a year.

"I'm sad for the family," Jones-Dowling said. "The kids were out here when they took the mom in the ambulance. She was the first out, and she was just worried about her kids.

CBS News Philadelphia learned the suspect also shot the family's dog. The dog suffered critical injuries.

The incident is still under investigation and there is no threat to the public. The Delaware County DA's Office is handling the investigation into the fatal discharge by a member of the Chester City Police force.

Roots released this statement on the incident:

I am incredibly sad about this tragic night that has destroyed a family, traumatized a neighborhood, and shaken our entire community. I thank and commend our brave police officers who responded swiftly and decisively to prevent further harm and attend to the victims. We have a strong network of trained professionals ready to help and support individuals in need of assistance. I strongly urge anyone experiencing violence-related trauma, mental health issues, or domestic abuse issues to seek out help.

There are local resources available for residents impacted by this incident.

• Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County: You can call 610-565-4590 to get help now through the 24/7 hotline or visit https://dapdc.org/ for more information. The DAPDC has a Chester satellite office located at 160 E. 7th Street. 3rd Floor, Chester, PA 19013. You can call that office at 610-357-6957.
• Chester Community Coalition: Provides trauma-informed support services to families directly affected by gun violence in Chester, PA and Delaware County. You can call them at 610-368-0714 or visit https://www.chestercommunitycoalition.org/.
• Chester Police Chaplains Corps: Provides spiritual counsel and support to the Police Department and Chester residents. You can contact Chaplain Lisa Dennis at LDennis@cityofchesterPA.gov or call the police chaplains line at 610-447-7700.