Trooper Wounded and Suspect Killed in Magnolia Shooting

Magnolia - The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a Trooper involved shooting that occurred this morning in Magnolia, which has left a 29 year old man dead and Trooper wounded.

The following information outlines the preliminary investigation into a Trooper involved shooting that occurred this morning in Magnolia, Delaware which has left a 29 year old man dead and Trooper wounded.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 shortly before 7:00 a.m. as a Trooper on patrol spotted a Honda Accord traveling SR 1 northbound north of Milford. The operator of the Honda was identified as Dennis Hicks-29 of Milford, Delaware, who had active warrants in connection with a domestic strangulation incident which occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. this morning, at a residence located in the first block of Bayhill Road, Magnolia.

The Trooper in a fully marked patrol vehicle activated the emergency equipment in an attempt to conduct a vehicle stop. Hicks disregarded the attempt and fled northbound on SR 1 turning onto Mulberrie Point Road and then onto Clapham Road towards Magnolia. The vehicle came to a complete stop in the area of Bayhill Road and West Birdie Lane. Hicks immediately exited the Honda with a semiautomatic handgun and opened fire on the Trooper. The Trooper exited patrol vehicle and returned fire, striking Hicks in the upper body.

During the exchange of gunfire, the Trooper suffered gunshot wounds to his hand and face. He was transported by Troopers to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital and later transferred by Delaware State Police Aviation Helicopter to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was admitted in serious but stable condition.

Dennis Hicks was transported to the Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8:47 a.m.

The semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene and a preliminary investigation determined that it was reported stolen from a residential burglary in Smyrna, Delaware in June of 2013.

The Trooper involved in this incident is Corporal Lloyd M. McCann-26, a 4 year veteran of the Delaware State Police assigned to Troop 3 in Camden, DE. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy, pending the outcome of the investigation.

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