Two Wanted Suspects Killed By Police In Cecil Co.

(ELKTON, MD) – Two suspects who were wanted on felony warrants in Delaware and who were armed with what appeared to be handguns but were later determined to be BB guns, were fatally wounded this morning when both ignored commands of a police fugitive team and raised their guns at officers attempting to arrest them at a Cecil County motel.

The deceased are identified as Brandon Jones, 25, and Chelsea M. Porter, 25, both from Dover, Delaware. Both were wanted on warrants by Delaware State Police for four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, three counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited, receiving a stolen firearm, conspiracy 2nd, possession of marijuana other than personal use quantity, and possession of drug paraphernalia

The two were believed to be traveling together and were possibly in Maryland. Delaware State Police contacted the Maryland State Police yesterday requesting assistance in the search for the fugitives. The Maryland State Apprehension team, a cooperative inter-agency fugitive task force coordinated by the Maryland State Police and the US Marshals Service, took the lead searching for the fugitives in Maryland.

Shortly before 10 a.m. today, members of the Maryland State Apprehension Team went to the New Eastern Inn, in the 200-block of Pulaski Highway, Elkton, Md. The Maryland State Apprehension team included fugitive investigators from the Maryland State Police and the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office.

The preliminary Maryland State Police Homicide Unit investigation indicates investigators determined both suspects were in a second floor room of the motel. Members of the MSAT team approached the hotel room door. They were wearing ballistic vests clearly marked with “Police” and displaying police badges.

Police knocked on the hotel room door and announced their presence, saying they had a warrant and the suspects should surrender. No answer was received and an officer saw a male inside the room pick up a handgun and move toward the door. Police officers outside the door immediately retreated and continued to shout commands to the suspects inside. Assistance was requested from the Elkton Police Department and officers responded to join those from the State Police and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office already there.

According to the preliminary investigation, several minutes passed as police continued to yell commands to the suspects in the room. Without warning, the male suspect then stepped outside the room onto the walkway and pointed a handgun at police, ignoring their continuing commands to drop the weapon. Police fired at the suspect, who was hit.

Seconds later, the female stepped outside the room and also pointed a handgun at officers, ignoring their continuing commands to drop the weapon. Police fired at the suspect and she was hit.

Police called for emergency medical assistance. Both suspects were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation, as is procedure in police involved shootings. Investigators are working to determine how many police officers fired and what departments they are from. Investigators have determined one of the officers who fired is a trooper from the Maryland State Police. He has been placed on administrative leave, as is procedure pending the outcome of the investigation.

State Police investigators obtained a search warrant prior to a search of the scene. Crime scene technicians and investigators are continuing to process the scene this afternoon.

Investigators have found two replica handguns next to the suspects. At this time, it is believed one is a BB pistol and the other is a compressed air-powered pellet or BB gun. Further examination will be conducted as the scene is processed. A photo of one of the guns accompanies this news release.

The investigation is continuing. Upon completion, the State Police Homicide Unit investigation will be provided to the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

The Maryland State Police Internal Affairs Unit is also conducting an investigation, as is procedure. This investigation examines adherence to administrative policies and procedures.

Content from a 10/22/16 Delaware State Police news release concerning the search for the fugitives is below:

Dover – State Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Brandon Jones, 25, and Chelsea M. Porter, 25, both of Dover.

Brandon Jones is wanted in connection with a reckless endangering incident that occurred on Tuesday October 18, 2016 in the 700 block of Dinahs Corner Road, Dover, when Jones fired one round from a handgun into the air after he threatened to shoot a 44-year-old victim.

Detectives then conducted a search warrant on Thursday October 21, 2016 at Jones’ residence in the 100 block of Stardust Drive, Dover and located 2094 bags (31.41 grams) of heroin, 1,020 grams of marijuana, a .38 caliber revolver, a 6.35 caliber pistol, a .22 caliber rifle, and a .357 caliber revolver that was reported stolen back in July 2016 out of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. Over $2,700.00 in suspected drug proceeds was also seized.

Brandon Jones (No Photo Available) and his girlfriend, Chelsea Porter (Photo Attached) were not at the residence during the search warrant. Detectives have obtained warrants on both of them for four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, three counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited, Receiving a Stolen Firearm, Conspiracy 2nd, Possession of Marijuana Other Than Personal Use Quantity, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

One of the two guns used by fugitives today.