Shooting in lobby of Pennsylvania courthouse leaves 1 hurt

Shots rang out inside the Chester County Courthouse in suburban Philadelphia on Tuesday, forcing an evacuation of the building, the court clerk’s office said. The man appeared to be handcuffed and to have bandages over two possible wounds on his left abdomen. He was conscious, and talking with the medical personnel.

The gunfire was reported shortly before noon as the morning court sessions in the West Chester courthouse at 201 W. Market St. were winding up.

“There was an incident in the lobby of the Chester County Justice Center”, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan wrote on Facebook. At least four detectives were on scene beginning to interview witnesses and gather evidence of the shooting.

No police statements have been made. Officials have not released details on the noontime shooting, but county employees said at least one person was hospitalized with a gunshot wound. It was unclear whether the man was a suspect.

The shooting involved a member of the county Sheriff’s Office and a man apparently attempting to enter the building, according to the Daily Local News.