New Castle County Police are investigating after officers shot and killed a suspect in the city of Wilmington early Wednesday morning.
WILMINGTON (DE): Police say the shooting occurred around 1:00 a.m. in the area of Rosemont Ave and East 24th Street in Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood.
According to police, officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle in the area of Rosemont Ave and East 24th Street in the City of Wilmington. When the officers began approaching the vehicle, it sped off away from them towards a dead end street. It was then that police say the vehicle, upon making a U-turn at the dead end, began accelerating at the officers at a high rate of speed.
According to police spokesman, Michel Eckerd, “The officers subsequently discharged their firearms and struck the driver. The officers immediately rendered first aid and were later assisted by other emergency medical personnel. However, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Police did not identify the suspect victim or the officers identity.
It’s unknown why the officers were conducting an investigation in the city of Wilmington when Wilmington has it’s own police force, but New Castle County Police say the investigation is in the early stages and more information will be released as it becomes available.
It’s New Castle County’s first police-involved shooting of the New Year. Just two weeks ago, Delaware State police shot 28-year-old Ronald Cochran during an exchange of gunfire in Viola. Cochran survived the Dec. 30 shooting and was charged with attempted murder.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to please contact the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit at (302) 395-8110 or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a violent crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302)-395-8000.
