Trooper Involved Shooting with Suspect Fatally Wounded, Frederica

Frederica - The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is currently investigating a trooper involved shooting that occurred late Monday evening north of Frederica, which has left a 25 year old Greensboro man dead.

The following information outlines the preliminary investigation into a trooper involved shooting that occurred last night north of Frederica, Delaware.

The initial investigation has determined the incident occurred on Monday, June 27, 2016 at approximately 11:51 p.m., as deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s office entered into Delaware in pursuit of a red 1994 Ford pickup truck, operated by a 25 year old male from Greensboro, Maryland. The pursuit was initiated by the deputies after it was revealed the pickup truck was stolen in Maryland and the suspect operating the vehicle was wanted for several burglaries in Maryland and Delaware. The suspect continued throughout western Kent County driving in a reckless manner running vehicles off the roadway. At this point Troopers became involved in the pursuit in the area of Felton. As the pursuit continued eastbound on SR 12 the suspect was seen displaying a handgun in his left hand. The pursuit continued into the town of Frederica where the suspect drove eastbound in the westbound lane and then turned northbound onto north Frederica Road. The suspect then drove northbound in the southbound lane of SR 1 into oncoming traffic. The suspect vehicle came to a stop on the southbound shoulder of SR 1 south of Barrett’s Chapel Road. Troopers and deputies initiated a felony traffic stop on the suspect vehicle as they observed him holding a handgun.

A trooper directed verbal commands toward the suspect to drop the weapon. The suspect ignored numerous verbal commands and then began waving the gun in the direction of the troopers and deputies. The trooper then discharged his divisionally issued patrol rifle striking the suspect who was still seated in the driver’s seat of the pickup truck.

The 25 year old male was pronounced dead at the scene by responding EMS, and his body was later turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science Office to determine the cause and manner of death. The name of the suspect is being withheld at this point pending the notification of his next of kin.

The 27-year-old trooper involved in this incident has been employed by the Delaware State Police for four years and is assigned to Troop 3 patrol in Camden, DE. He has been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy pending the outcome of the investigation. The Trooper involved in this incident was not injured.

The suspect was wanted out of Kent County Superior Court for Burglary 3rd degree, Violation of Probation and Disregarding a Police Officer Signal while Driving Suspended or Revoked, Reckless Driving and Speeding.

For information regarding the outstanding warrants out of Maryland please contact Caroline County Sheriff’s Office at (410) 479-2515.

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.