Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chester City Council cancels May 20 meeting after mass shooting; members offer condolences
Summary
The Chester City Council postponed its May 20 meeting after an executive session addressing a mass shooting in the city. Council members visited the scene and the hospital, offered condolences and said the meeting will be rescheduled with public notice.
The Chester City Council canceled its May 20 meeting after an executive session, citing a mass shooting in the city, and council members used the public portion to express condolences and coordinate support for victims and first responders.
Council members said the decision followed widespread attention to the incident, including calls from the White House and state senators. They said many council members went to the shooting scene and to the hospital; the council said the meeting will be rescheduled with public notice, most likely next week.
"My heart goes out to everyone involved, all our first responders, family, friends, and the community," Councilman Davis said, calling for residents and officials to come together. "Now's the time as a community ... to lean on one another, be supportive, understanding, and actually come together as a city."
"It is a tragic thing that happened this morning with the shootings," Councilwoman West said. "Our hearts go out to the families, to the community. ... We are praying for our community. We love you guys. And we're gonna do our part to make sure that you're okay and supported."
Kelsey, who said she had been at the scene earlier, described the location as "a gruesome scene," and urged elected officials to be present with residents. "So many community members ... they're looking for their elected officials to come and support them and come and be with them," she said.
Council members also acknowledged the recent death of police officer Daniel McCracken and said the council prepared a proclamation on his behalf. Council members said services are scheduled for tomorrow and noted that McCracken served in the armed forces, including service with SEAL Team 6.
The mayor and council said they met in executive session to discuss the situation and then unanimously agreed to cancel the publicly noticed council meeting. No formal roll-call vote was recorded during the public portion. "There's city business and there's community business. We're here for the community," one council member said.
The meeting closed with an invocation and the council adjourned. The council said it will give advance public notice when the meeting is rescheduled.
