Suspect in custody in Wicomico County after fatal shooting in Ocean View, Delaware

OCEAN VIEW, Del. – A suspect is in custody and awaiting extradition after fatally shooting a woman in Ocean View before fleeing to his residence in Hebron Maryland.

Delaware State Police say they received a call around 4 a.m. of multiple gunshots in the 30000 block of Bethany Crest in Ocean View. DSP Master Corporal Gary Fournier tells us the incident appears to be an act of domestic violence.

“At this point, it would appear at this point to be a boyfriend-girlfriend situation,” Fournier said.

By the time officers arrived, witnesses tell us the victim had already sped away in his car, heading across state lines. That’s when they put out a call to all Maryland and Delaware police to help catch him.

“Within about 10 minutes of that broadcast being sent out a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office spotted an erratic driver on route 50 near titman and followed the vehicle until other deputies arrived to assist,” Fournier said.

Deputies followed him to his home where he peacefully surrendered. Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis tells us they are now searching the suspect’s home; working with Delaware State Police investigators to gather evidence.

“He made it into the house with at least one long gun so obviously we are hoping to recover a murder weapon in this particular case and any other evidence associated with this particular homicide,” he said. While the charges from Delaware State Police have yet to be released, The Wicomico Sheriff’s office has enough to hold and charge him.

“He will be presented today before a district court commissioner here in the state of Maryland not only with traffic charges that are going to be preferred by the Wicomico County sheriff’s office but fugitive charges to secure his extradition back to the state of Delaware,” Sheriff Lewis said.

The status of when that extradition will take place is still unclear, as the suspect may choose to fight the extradition to Delaware, prompting Delaware State Police to acquire a Governor’s Warrant for a fugitive suspect, a legal process that could see the suspect spend up to 30 days in detention at the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

Now the name and the charges he faces in Delaware are not yet being released. Delaware State Police say that this was an instance of domestic violence, and urge any victims to come forward anonymously using their victim hotline at https://dsp.delaware.gov/victim-services/.