State Police Detectives Investigating Homicide and Officer-Involved Shooting in New Castle County

Date Posted: Monday, August 5th, 2024

Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide and officer-involved shooting that occurred in New Castle County yesterday that left one woman and one man dead.

On August 4, 2024, at approximately 9:41 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the Exxon, located at 414 Main Street, Stanton, for a report of a male with a firearm at a nearby residence. A short time later, troopers, along with Fire and EMS, responded to a residence on the 1700 block of Limestone Road, for a separate report of a house fire. Upon arriving, emergency personnel found a 22-year-old Wilmington woman suffering from a gunshot wound in the home and began life-saving efforts. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified. Due to the nature of the investigation, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit and the Delaware State Fire Marshal's Office assumed the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, a 57-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, forcibly entered his ex-spouse's home and fired multiple rounds at the two occupants. The gunfire struck the 22-year-old victim. The second occupant, a 20-year-old Wilmington man, was not struck and fled from the residence to the nearby Exxon. The homeowner was not at the residence. After the shooting, the suspect set fire to the home and fled in a vehicle. Through investigative means, members of the Delaware State Police Aviation Section located the suspect vehicle and suspect in the area of the C&D Canal. Over the course of several hours, troopers attempted to negotiate with the armed suspect, who had climbed onto the lower level of a high-tension electrical tower. Ultimately, the suspect fired a weapon at troopers, which prompted three troopers to discharge their divisional-issued firearms at him.

Following the shooting, troopers administered first aid to the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved troopers have been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at [email protected].

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