UPDATE: Police: Trooper shoots, kills man waving gun during stop in Frederica
State Police say a Trooper fatally shot a man who waved a gun toward Troopers during a traffic stop in Frederica.
Delaware State Police say it all started around 11:50 PM on Monday, when Deputies with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office made their way into Delaware, while perusing a red 1994 Ford pickup truck, driven by a 25-year-old Greensboro man. Investigators say the Deputies started following the man, after figuring out that he was driving a stolen truck, and was wanted for several burglaries in Maryland and Delaware.
The suspect continued throughout western Kent County, with the man reportedly driving in a reckless manner, running vehicles off the road. Troopers say this is when they jumped in to assist, near Felton, and continued east on Route 12. It was at this point, Police say the suspect was seen with a handgun in his left hand.
The pursuit continued into the town of Frederica, where Investigators say the suspect drove eastbound in the westbound lane, and then turned northbound onto North Frederica Road, before driving northbound in the southbound lane of Route 1, into oncoming traffic. Police say the pick-up truck eventually stopped on the southbound shoulder of Route 1 south of Barrett’s Chapel Road, as Troopers and Deputies initiated a felony traffic stop on the truck, when they observed him holding a handgun.
Troopers say the suspect was given verbal commands to drop the weapon, but he ignored their requests, and started waiving the gun in the direction of the Troopers and Deputies. It was at this point when a Trooper then discharged his divisionally issued patrol rifle, striking the suspect who was still seated in the driver’s seat of the pick-up truck. Police say the 25-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS, and his body later turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science Office to determine the cause and manner of death.
At this time, Police say they are withholding the identity of the suspect, pending notification to his next of kin. State Police say 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. He has apparently been placed on administrative leave, as per Divisional Policy pending the outcome of the investigation. The Trooper involved in this incident was reportedly not injured.
Police say the suspect was wanted out of Kent County Superior Court for burglary third degree, violation of probation, disregarding a police officer signal while driving suspended or revoked, reckless driving, and speeding.
Detectives from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit reportedly 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.
