CHESTER, Pa. — Three people were shot outside a Uno Pizzeria & Grill near Widener University’s campus on Wednesday night, according to police, in an incident that has shaken a neighborhood residents describe as normally quiet.
The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. near the intersection of Providence Avenue and East 16th Street, close to the university grounds.
Police say the victims included a woman who was shot in the upper body and a 17-year-old boy. The third victim’s condition has not been detailed by authorities.
Chopper footage captured a heavy police presence at the scene, with crime scene tape stretched across the area as investigators worked through the night. The pizzeria sits just off campus and is a familiar spot for students and neighborhood residents alike.
Neighbors Say Area Rarely Sees This Kind of Violence
People who live near the restaurant said they were stunned by what happened. Jackie Cooley Jr., who has lived in the area for more than a decade, said he could not recall anything like it happening before.
“Towards like violence or anything around this area, none. I’ve been here for over 11 years, so I haven’t experienced none of that until last night,” Cooley Jr. said.
Another resident, Neveada Coles, said she initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks before realizing what she was actually hearing.
“I heard it go like multiple gun sounds,” Coles said. She added that the sound stopped briefly before she noticed police lights nearby, which confirmed her suspicion. “But then after it stopped, I said, ‘No that’s gunshots.’ I happened to see the blue and red lights, which was the cop cars.”
Coles said she had never thought of the pizzeria as a place where trouble might happen, especially since she had heard the gathering that night was tied to a graduation celebration. She expressed sadness that a celebratory occasion turned violent so quickly.
“It’s just so sad that you just can’t have a good time getting together,” she said.
Cooley Jr. echoed that sentiment, calling the shooting an unusual and troubling break from the area’s typical calm.
“This is the first time that we’ve really had this kind of violence in the neighborhood,” he said.
As of Thursday, authorities had not released information about a suspect, possible motive, or arrests connected to the shooting. The conditions of the three victims also remain unconfirmed publicly.
Widener University issued a statement acknowledging that the incident occurred just off its campus and confirmed that school officials are cooperating with local law enforcement during the investigation.
“Widener University is aware of the incident Wednesday night outside the Pizzeria Uno on Providence Avenue in Chester. City police are investigating and the university is fully cooperating with the department. All questions should be directed to law enforcement,” the university said.
The school directed all further questions about the case to Chester police, who are continuing to investigate the shooting and have not provided a timeline for when more information might be released.
Residents in the area say they hope answers come quickly, both to ease concerns about safety and to help make sense of an event that disrupted what was supposed to be a night of celebration for at least some of those gathered near the restaurant.
Police have asked anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.
