Delaware State Police investigate Fatal Shooting in Ellendale
Homicide in Ellendale
DELAWARE – A fatal shooting in Ellendale over the weekend has the tight-knit small town shaken up and citizens are concerned for their safety.
Devastating news once again strikes the Ellendale Community as there have been two deadly shootings just this month. They grieve over the loss of a 17-year-old woman who was shot in a vacant space nearby New Hope Recreation and Development Center. She was pronounced dead Sunday evening.
Delaware State Police Corporal Lewis Briggs said a bystander took the 17-year-old female victim to the Ellendale Fire Company. She was then taken to the hospital, where she died. A male victim was also injured in the shooting, which was initiated by a physical altercation according to sources. “June 9, at approximately 4:30 in the afternoon, troopers responded to the Ellendale Community Center on North Old State Road for a reported shooting… 19-year-old victim was transported later to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the leg. He was treated and released… The preliminary investigation shows that the victim, the 17-year-old victim and the 19-year-old victim were not engaged in the argument or the fight.”
Police say the shots were fired on a property near the Ellendale community center. A frequent visitor of the center and Ellendale resident describes the scary scene. “I heard the shooting, and it was a lot of people over there- some people fell on the ground, and I don’t know who it was, or anything like that, but it could’ve been kids playing volleyball over there… I feel bad, because you don’t want to come outside, you don’t want to open your doors, you don’t know what going to happen anymore.”
Another community member said there is way too much gun violence in this generation. “Because bullets they actually don’t have a name on it you know… Actually, my kids- they found out about it before me. They were concerned, so they were calling me and trying to get up with me. you know just to make sure I was ok.”
She says this type of tragedy can strike anyone and is calling on the community to pray for each other. Police are calling this an isolated incident – saying there is no threat to the public at this time. They say if you see something, say something. “We encourage residents to stay vigilant, and any suspicious activity, or anything of any concern, please call 911,” said Briggs.
Police say that this is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with any information is urged to call Delaware State Police at 302-741-2729.
