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State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Division of State Police
Superintendent Robert M. Coupe |
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UPDATED DSP News Release #2: Monday, August 03, 2009- Domestic Dispute Results in Trooper Shooting Suspect
Georgetown- The following news release outlines additional details surrounding the officer involved shooting from yesterday.
This incident began with a domestic dispute at approximately 1:00 p.m. at a residence along the unit block of Wood Duck Way in the Sandhill Mobile Home Park in Georgetown. Initially, a verbal argument ensued between David C. Bethard, his 38-year-old girlfriend and her 19-year-old daughter. As the argument escalated, Bethard was asked to leave the residence, but he refused.
He went into the kitchen and obtained several large kitchen knives. He then held the knives in a threatening manner and advised that everyone was going to die. The 19-year-old fled the home and called 911. The suspect then took his girlfriend from the residence against her will.
The daughter advised the State Police dispatcher center, SUSCOM, of the facts surrounding the incident at the home and also told them that Bethard was armed. This information was relayed to the responding Troopers.
When the initial confrontation with the officer ensued, the Trooper gave Bethard several lawful commands for him to surrender. The suspect put his hands in his pockets and refused to take them out.
Then, instead of coming peacefully, the suspect threatened the officer. He then lunged at the Trooper and quickly withdrew his hands from his pockets while holding a black object. This object later proved to be a cellular phone. In fear for his life, the Trooper fired a single round from his divisionally issued weapon, striking the suspect.
Charges: In reference to the officer involved shooting, warrants are now on file charging David Bethard with Resisting Arrest and Menacing (both misdemeanors).
In reference to the domestic, warrants are now on file charging Bethard with the following offenses: two counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon during the Commission of a Felony (felony), Kidnapping (felony), two counts of Aggravated Menacing (felony) and two counts of Terroristic Threatening (misdemeanor). He will be formally charged upon his release from the hospital.
The officer involved in this shooting is identified as Captain Charles Simpson, the Troop 4 Commander in Charge. As a matter of routine procedure, he has been placed on Administrative Duty.
David Bethard
UPDATED DSP News Release: Domestic Dispute Results in Trooper Shooting Suspect
Locations: (#1) Sand Hill Mobile Home Park, Georgetown , Delaware (#2) Retz Lane, Lewes, Delaware
Date of Occurrence: Sunday, August 02, 2009 at approximately 3:21 p.m.
Suspect(s): David C. Bethard Jr., 34 of Millsboro, Delaware
Resume: Shortly before 3:30 this afternoon, Troop 4 patrol troopers were dispatched to the Sand Hill Mobile Home Park for the report of a domestic dispute involving the above suspect and his wife (victim).
An investigation at the scene revealed that approximately ten minutes prior to the troopers’ arrival, the suspect had been engaged in a verbal dispute with the victim in the presence of the victim’s 19-year old daughter. The suspect reportedly ordered the victim to leave the residence with him, but the victim refused. The suspect then retrieved two large kitchen knives from the kitchen, and demanded the victim leave the residence with him.
The suspect threatened bodily harm to the victim and her daughter and stated if the police came, he would cause the police to shoot him and they would have to watch him die.
The victim’s daughter exited the residence to make a phone call. Moments later, the suspect exited the residence with the victim at his side. The suspect and victim entered his vehicle, a red Ford Escort, and the suspect drove away.
The victim was able to call her daughter from her cellular phone and provide details of the direction in which they were traveling.
The victim’s daughter could hear the suspect yelling at the victim moments before the victim’s phone went dead.
Troopers were alerted with a description of the vehicle and a direction of travel. Troopers converged on the area.
Several calls came in to 911 from concerned citizens who observed a struggle between a male and female in a vehicle matching the suspect’s vehicle in the area of Five Points.
The last call, at approximately 4:14 p.m., reported a male subject assaulting a female just outside of a vehicle on Retz Lane (off of Route 24) west of Lewes.
A twenty-nine year DSP veteran responded to the area and observed a struggle between the suspect and the victim. This Trooper gave verbal commands to the suspect in an attempt to peacefully take him into custody.
The suspect ignored the commands and made menacing movements towards this trooper at which time the trooper discharged his weapon, striking the suspect once.
Assisting troopers took the suspect into custody and provided first aid to the suspect until an ambulance arrived and transported the suspect to Beebe Medical Center. The suspect remains in stable condition at Beebe Medical Center.
An investigator from the Attorney General’s office responded to conduct an investigation of the shooting, in addition to the DSP investigation.
The trooper is uninjured and on administrative duty.
The 38-year old victim was uninjured.
This investigation is ongoing and an updated release will be forthcoming when additional details are available.
Charges are pending. |
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