State Police Detectives Continue Investigation into Western Sussex County Homicides

Sussex County, DE - The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is continuing their investigation into two separate active homicide investigations in western Sussex County.

In the most recent case, troopers were called to the 20000 block of Conrail Road around 12:41 a.m., Thursday January 7, 2016, by a 53-year-old female resident for a report of subjects breaking into the house and shots fired. Upon their arrival, a 35-year-old male victim, who was a guest at the home, was located in the kitchen area suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Sussex County Paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and pronounced the victim, who was later identified as James F. Dickerson, deceased. After shooting Dickerson, the suspects fled the residence in an unknown direction. The female, and three other male residents who reside there, were uninjured in the incident.

An autopsy conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wound to the head. No further suspect information has been developed at this time and detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying any potential suspect(s).

Later that evening, at approximately 9:55 p.m., troopers and officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from the same residence stating someone shot at the house. The 53-year-old female victim informed arriving troopers that she and her 63-year-old boyfriend were in a back bedroom when then she heard sounds of gunfire outside. She immediately got up and shut her bedroom door and called 9-1-1. Further investigation revealed a separate bedroom window located in the front of the house had been shot out but the room was unoccupied at the time. A 46-year-old male was also in the house as the time, but was sleeping in a separate room. None of the residents were injured.

Troopers were assisted by agencies from Bridgeville Police Department and Seaford Police Department who searched the area for any potential suspects or vehicles in the area. None were located.

In a 2013 incident, troopers responded to the 32000 block of Horsey & Everett Road, Laurel at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday January 5, 2013 after multiple unknown suspects wearing masks covering their faces to disguise identities and armed with unknown type firearms, entered the residence. Once inside, the suspects confronted a 21 year old male resident, later identified as Kyle Newman. During the confrontation, Newman was shot multiple times in the upper body. The suspects then fled the residence on foot in an unknown direction. It is unknown at the time of the investigation if any money or property was taken during the incident.

Kyle Newman was transported by ambulance to the Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

These two separate homicides do not appear to be linked to one another.

If anyone has any information in reference to any of these incidents, they are asked to contact Detective J. King at 302-698-8561. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet atwww.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."