Chester, Pennsylvania – A tragic shooting unfolded at a Chester industrial laundry and linen company where five coworkers were shot, resulting in the deaths of two brothers and injuries to three others. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer described the gunman’s actions as a “cold-blooded shooting,” as he calmly walked through the facility, firing at his victims.
The suspect, identified as Wilbert Rosado-Ruiz, 61, from Chester, was charged with two counts of first-degree homicide in the deaths of Leovanny Peña Peña, 30, and Giguenson Peña Peña, 26, along with several other charges including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Rosado-Ruiz, an employee of Delaware Linen Company since 2016, had a verbal dispute with a female coworker prior to the shooting.
Security footage revealed that after the dispute, Rosado-Ruiz returned to the facility, pulled out a gun, and shot the woman before firing at four others in a methodical manner. One survivor recounted Rosado-Ruiz saying, “I’m tired of people f— with me,” before shooting another victim. The gunman attempted to shoot a sixth person, but the gun either jammed or was out of ammunition.
Following the shooting, two survivors were in stable condition, while a third was in critical but stable condition. Investigators found bullet casings both outside and inside the building. Employees had reportedly expressed concerns about Rosado-Ruiz’s behavior in the past, prompting a meeting with company management a day before the tragedy.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found one victim dead outside and another inside the building, where they rendered aid before swiftly locating the second deceased sibling. Rosado-Ruiz was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene in his vehicle. It was revealed that he legally purchased the handgun used in the shooting in 2018.
The family-owned business, which has been operating since 1988, has been supplying towels and linens to various establishments in the area. Following the incident, employees returned to work, seeking a sense of normalcy after the traumatic event. The owner of the business, Vincent Marsero, expressed support for his employees in the wake of the tragedy.
As investigations continue and the community processes the impact of the shooting, the aftermath of this senseless act of violence leaves a deep scar on the Chester community. The resilience and unity of the employees and community members in the face of this tragedy illustrate the strength and courage of those affected by the devastating event.