Police say those involved in the altercation left the party and went to the residence to remove themselves from the situation. However, the conflict reignited when the participants engaged again at the residence and two people were stabbed.
MAGNOLIA (DE) BY DIGITAL STAFF: During an argument at a Magnolia home Saturday, police say the suspect stabbed two people and fled the scene. One of the victims died from his injuries after being transported to a local hospital by an acquaintance.
Delaware State Police say the incident happened Saturday morning just before 3:30 a.m. on Millchop Lane in Magnolia.
Troopers were dispatched to the home for a report of a stabbing, according to a news release.
According to police, a verbal altercation occurred between several people who were at a party at a trailer located behind the residence. Police say those involved in the altercation left the party and went to the residence to remove themselves from the situation. However, the conflict reignited when the participants engaged again at the residence.
At the residence, investigators say the argument escalated and a 37-year-old male from Smyrna and a 34-year-old female from Dover, were both stabbed with a large knife by the suspect.
Rather than call 9-1-1 for an Ambulance, police say the victims were transported to an area hospital by an acquaintance.
At the hospital, the 37-year-old male victim was pronounced deceased. The 34-year-old female victim was also treated at an area hospital with stab wounds to the abdomen. It’s not clear what her condition was.
During the investigation, investigators identified the suspect as 46-year-old James Palmer from Dover.
Later that day, police began looking for the suspect but they didn’t have to look very far because he turned himself in to Troop 1. in Wilmington.
Palmer was taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2 where he was processed and arraigned for Murder 1st Degree (Felony), Attempted to Commit Murder 1st Degree (Felony), and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)- 2 counts.
Palmer was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $1,120,000 cash bond.
