Trooper Involved Shooting With Suspect Fatally Wounded, Harrington

Location:
Thornwood Drive west of Dusty Branch Lane, Harrington, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.

Suspect:
Angel A. Feliciano-42 of Harrington, DE

Resume:
Harrington-The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a Trooper involved shooting that occurred last night in Harrington that has left a 42 year old man fatally wounded.

The following information outlines the initial investigation into a Trooper involved shooting that occurred last night in Harrington, DE, which left Angel A. Feliciano-42 of Harrington, DE fatally wounded.

The incident occurred on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at approximately 9:30 p.m. as Troopers responded to 17 Dusty Branch Lane, Pine Ridge development, Harrington, after the suspect Angel Feliciano contacted the mobile crisis hotline stating that he was suicidal and armed with a weapon. After Troopers arrived at the residence, they observed Feliciano seated in the driver’s seat of a Chevrolet Tahoe located in the driveway of the residence facing westbound, towards the backyard. As Troopers attempted to make contact with Feliciano, the Tahoe accelerated forward into the grass area of the rear yard and completed a U-turn traveling eastbound, through the driveway and exiting, making a right onto Dusty Branch Lane. A Trooper in a fully marked patrol vehicle began to follow Feliciano as he turned right, traveling westbound onto Thornwood Drive. Feliciano traveled approximately 300’ on Thornwood Drive and then made an abrupt U-turn, traveling eastbound on Thornwood Drive directly at the Trooper’s vehicle, with the Trooper still seated inside. The Trooper was able to jump and exit the patrol vehicle, as Feliciano accelerated at a high rate of speed. The front of the Tahoe, equipped with a steel push bar, rammed the patrol vehicle in a head on collision, causing severe and disabling damage.
The Trooper discharged multiple rounds from his Divisional issued weapon, striking the windshield and front passenger side window and door of the Tahoe, also striking Feliciano who was located in the driver’s seat. After the initial impact, the Tahoe continued to push the patrol vehicle approximately 60’ backwards before coming to a stop.

Angel A. Feliciano was pronounced dead at the scene by responding EMS, and his body was turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine cause and manner of death.

The Trooper involved in this incident was not injured.

The Trooper involved in this incident is a 3 year veteran of the Delaware State Police assigned to Troop 3 in Dover. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional policy, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Trooper’s name will not be released at this time.

Detectives from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are conducting the investigation. This is an active investigation with detectives continuing their investigation, evidence processing, and interviews.