Upper Darby remembers victims of gun violence

UPPER DARBY » Upper Darby Council offered a moment of silence at its regular meeting for two fatalities, victims of gunfire, in the Stonehurst neighborhood.

Councilwoman Sekela Coles suggested the remembrance at the onset of the meeting noting one of the shootings was on her street.

Tyree Wilson, 20, of Philadelphia, was shot and killed in a domestic dispute June 27 and Armand Fennell, 17, of Upper Darby, an Upper Darby High School student, was shot and killed July 7.

She also asked Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood for an update on the investigations of the incidents and dealing with summertime violence.

“There was a murder at the corner of my block on Wednesday, June 27,” Coles said regarding shooting incidents in her neighborhood. “The victim was 20, and his body was found at the corner of Long Lane and Bradford Road. There was also another shooting on June 15 in my district at the Good Luck Chinese store on the 700 block of Garrett Road. Two individuals were shot in that incident, one of the victims was 16. There were no fatalities.”

On July 13 Coles, a Democrat and mother of two children, posted her opinion of the latest shooting on her Facebook page.

“Sickened and horrified that there was another murder in our neighborhood,” Coles posted. “All of our elected officials may not agree on the best methods of how to curb gun violence but something has to be done. We all need to come together immediately as leaders and as a community with realistic actionable items to address this recent uptick of violence.

“Five shooting victims. Four week span. Three fatalities.

“As a mother and the only local elected official who actually lives in the area

where this violence is occurring I am frightened, and so are my children.”

Chitwood declined to comment on the fatal shootings.

“I can only give so much because they are active investigations,” Chitwood said.

Coles asked the chief about policing plans in the summer.

“I’m very concerned,” Coles said. “My neighbors are very concerned. How do we get through the next two months? Do we need an increase in patrols?”

Chitwood announced he was assigning two officers to the Glendale Road area and foot patrol details in the 69th Street vicinity every day.

“We will monitor those areas where we need to bring police in,” Chitwood said.

Chitwood informed council the block party planned for this weekend in Cole’s neighborhood will be monitored by police.

“If there is one problem I’ll shut it down,” Chitwood said.

The superintendent maintains investigating incidents is hampered due to uncooperative witnesses who fail to provide information.

“We need people to come forward,” Chitwood said. “Unfortunately there are thugs in our community taking over.”