Trooper Involved Shooting with Suspect Fatally Wounded, Claymont

Claymont-The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a Trooper involved shooting that occurred Friday afternoon in Claymont, which has left a 41 year old male armed robbery suspect from Claymont, Delaware fatally wounded.

The following outlines the preliminary investigation into a Trooper involved shooting that occurred Friday afternoon in Claymont.

The incident occurred on Friday, November 14, at approximately 4:15 p.m. as Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle operated by William F. McNulty-41 of Claymont, Delaware who was connected to 2 armed robberies which occurred early Friday morning.

The first armed robbery occurred on Friday, November 14, 2014 at approximately 6:00 a.m. at an ATM machine at the M&T Bank located at 3530 Philadelphia Pike as a male suspect armed with a handgun approached a female victim who was withdrawing cash from the ATM and demanded money. The victim did not comply and the suspect fled the area.

The second robbery occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. at the 7-11 convenience store located at 2100 Foulk Road as the same suspect entered the store armed with a handgun. The suspect confronted the clerk pointing the handgun at him demanding money. The victim complied and turned over an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries in either incident.

Through further investigation and interviews, Troopers were able to connect McNulty to both armed robberies. At approximately 11:30 a.m. Troopers observed the suspect vehicle described as a Toyota Corolla being operated by McNulty in the area of Governor Printz Boulevard and Princeton Avenue, Claymont where Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle. McNulty disregarded their attempts and fled at a high rate of speed throughout the area and rammed a state police vehicles causing damage. Troopers lost site of the vehicle as the suspect fled the scene. There were no injuries to Troopers from this incident. The search for McNulty was terminated at approximately 12:00 p.m.

At approximately 2:12 p.m. Troopers again observed the Toyota Corolla traveling in the area of Green Street in Claymont where McNulty fled from Troopers at a high rate of speed throughout the Claymont area.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. McNulty led Troopers eastbound on Harvey Road in the area of Garfield Avenue. 2 Troopers in fully marked patrol vehicles attempted to stop the Toyota. The Toyota travelled off of the south edge of the roadway, over a cement curb, and partially on a grass surface with the front resting into several evergreen trees. The Troopers exited their vehicles and gave McNulty several commands to stop and exit the Toyota. McNulty did not comply with their commands and continued to accelerate in reverse towards the Troopers.

2 Troopers discharged multiple rounds from their Divisional issued handguns, striking the rear window of the Toyota, also striking McNulty who was still located in the driver’s seat.

The Trooper Medic from DSP Helicopter Trooper 4 rendered emergency medical care and treatment to the McNulty at the scene.

The suspect was transported by ambulance to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was admitted in critical condition and later pronounced dead at 6:41 p.m. Friday evening.

The Troopers involved in this incident are 6 and 8 year veterans of the Delaware State Police assigned to Troop 1, Penny Hill. They have been placed on administrative leave as per Divisional Policy, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Troopers names 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.

Harvey Road between I95 and Philadelphia Pike was closed to traffic for approximately 6.5 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

Sergeant Paul G. Shavack
Director of Public Information | Delaware State Police
P.O. Box 430| Dover, DE 19903