THANKSGIVING EVE SHOOTING
COPS: MAN SHOT HIS GIRLFRIEND AFTER NIGHT OUT ENDED IN ARGUMENT
MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> A Chester man has been charged with shooting his girlfriend in Folcroft after they argued on the ride home from a night out on Thanksgiving Eve, officials said.
“In this case, the defendant Anthony Chen shot his girlfriend, the very person he is supposed to love and care for, nearly killing her,” said Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland in a release. “As a result of the victim’s courage to come forward, and the swift response and teamwork demonstrated by our police officers, she is now safe, and hopefully can begin the healing process, both physically and emotionally.”
Chen, 36, of the 1400 block of Hancock Street, has been charged with aggravated assault and attempted aggravated assault, both felonies of the first degree, according to online court records. He is also charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, a felony of the third degree, possession of a firearm prohibited, a second-degree felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of possessing a weapon, recklessly endangering another person and tampering with evidence.
The assault took place on the evening of Nov. 21, as the defendant and victim were driving home from a bar in Folcroft, according to authorities.
Police officers from Folcroft and Sharon Hill were dispatched to Taylor Hospital for a female victim suffering a gunshot wound to the stomach at about 10:58 p.m. and met with the victim, according to the release.
The woman told officers her boyfriend, Chen, had shot her and then dropped her off at the hospital in a Hyundai Santa Fe. Cannon swept the hospital parking lot and found the vehicle, which was secured as a potential crime scene.
County Criminal Investigation Division Detective James Reardon photographed the exterior of the Santa Fe, which was then towed to Folcroft Police Department. Inside the vehicle, Reardon found and a bullet hole and blood on the passenger seat, according to the release.
County detectives Vincent Ficchi and David Tyler later interviewed Chen, who allegedly gave conflicting reports about the shooting.
In his first statement, Chen allegedly told investigators that a man had approached their vehicle and stuck a gun in the window. He said the weapon discharged and struck the victim when he attempted to grab the gun, according to the release.
When he was told that the victim identified Chen as the shooter, however, he changed his story, according to authorities.
Chen allegedly told police that he and the victim were at Chasers Tavern shooting pool and having drinks that night. They got into an argument after the two left in the Santa Fe to get cigarettes, according to the release.
Chen allegedly said he pulled the vehicle over and the argument continued, with the victim saying she was not afraid of him because he had a gun. Chen told detectives that he picked up a Glock 19 from the floor of the vehicle and began to tell the victim that she did not need to be afraid of him “while he was waiving the gun in a reckless manner,” according to the release. Chen allegedly said the gun accidentally went off at that point, striking the victim.
Detectives found the Glock stashed in some bushes outside the hospital, according to the release. The gun was loaded with one round in the chamber and 12 rounds in the magazine.
Chen was convicted of a felony drug trafficking offense in 2006 and is therefore not legally allowed to possess a firearm, according to the release.
“Domestic violence is a cruel, menacing, and potentially fatal crime, with the abuse often coming from the hands of loved ones and trusted individuals,” said Copeland. “It also poses some of the most
“In this case, the defendant Anthony Chen shot his girlfriend, the very person he is supposed to love and care for, nearly killing her.”
— Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland
dangerous situations for our police officers who respond to these volatile situations. In Delaware County, we will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement and our domestic abuse advocates to protect victims of these horrific crimes and seek justice for all of those involved.”
Chen was preliminarily arraigned Nov. 22 before Magisterial District Judge Michael A. Burns. He was remanded to the county prison after failing to post bail set at 10 percent of $750,000, according to online court records.
Chen is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 5 before Magisterial District Judge Steven A. Sandone.