Delaware State Police
News Release

Sgt. Joshua A. Bushweller
http://www.state.de.us/dsp/pio/newsroom.htm.

              

Update #5: Dover Area Homicide – Suspect Extradited to Delaware

Released Friday, November 14, 2008

Bear – The Delaware State Police have completed extradition proceedings today by returning Damion Neal  to Delaware. This morning at approximately 10:00 am DSP homicide detectives and a state detective picked him up at the Baltimore County Jail.

He was returned to Troop 2 in Bear where he was formally charged with 2 counts of Murder 1st Degree, 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Harassment and Criminal Mischief. He was committed to the Howard T. Young Correctional Center with no bail.

 

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Update #4: Dover Area Homicide- Final Update

Released- Monday, November 10th, 2008

Dover- The following news release outlines the case involving the murder of two Dover residents.  Additional information is included along with the identity of the two victims.

On the afternoon of November 8th, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Troopers responded to the 2000 block of Generals Way (same location as the homicide) to investigate a domestic dispute.  In this incident, Damion Neal responded to the residence in question to confront his ex-girl friend- Tonessa Barlow, 34, residing at the Generals Way address- for not answering the phone when he tried to call earlier.  When Neal arrived at the home, he damaged the front door.  Ms. Barlow called 911, and when Neal realized the police were being summonsed, he fled the scene. 

Subsequent to this investigation, arrest warrants were completed charging Neal with Harassment and Criminal Mischief (he damaged the door).  Attempts to locate him were futile as he had no permanent address.  At one point, police talked with Mr. Neal via his cell phone; however, he would not provide his location and refused to turn himself in. 

Authorities then checked several of Neal’s known hangouts and were unable to find him.

Sometime after midnight (on November 9th), Mr. Neal took a friends Buick Century and police believe he responded back to the Generals Way address.  Neal allegedly snuck into the home and went to the upstairs master bedroom where he shot and killed Ms. Barlow and her new boyfriend- Richard Tollson, 29, of Dover.

After the murder, Neal fled Delaware into Maryland.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., a family friend responded to the Generals Way address and found the victims deceased inside and called 911.  Troopers responded to the home and detectives located evidence at the scene that linked Mr. Neal to the murder. 

An all points bulletin was issued nationwide and the search for Damion Neal was very much active.  At approximately midnight last evening, authorities (including the US Marshalls Task Force and police officers from Maryland) began to search for Neal at the homes of known associates in Maryland.  He was located at an associate’s home in the vicinity of Baltimore (this location will not be made public).  The homeowner was cooperative with authorities and Mr. Neal surrendered peacefully. 

Subsequent to Neal’s apprehension, information was obtained that led officials to a Food Lion in Perryville, Maryland where the Buick Century was located.

Neal is being held at a detention center in central Baltimore and is awaiting extradition back to Delaware.  It is unknown at this time when extradition will take place. 

Detectives are still looking for witnesses and individuals with information pertaining to this case.  Tips and information can be provided by calling 302-739-5939.

Note:  There is no prior domestic history between Mr. Neal and Ms. Barlow.

 

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Update #3: Dover Area Homicide- Suspect Apprehended

Released- Monday, November 10th, 2008

Dover- Mr. Neal was apprehended overnight in Maryland.  A more complete release will be disseminated later this morning. 

 

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Update #2: Dover Area Homicide

Released- Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Dover- State Police Homicide detectives continue the search for Mr. Neal this evening.  They are following up on several leads. 

Warrants have been completed and approved for Murder and upon Damion Neal's apprehension, he will be formally charged with same.

Anyone with information concerning Neal’s whereabouts should immediately call Troop 3 at 302-697-4455 or 911.  Neal should be considered armed and dangerous.  Citizens are advised not to contact or approach Mr. Neal and to call the authorities immediately. 

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 Update #1: Dover Area Homicide

Released- Sunday, November 9th, 2008

Dover- Detectives advise each victim in this case died as a result of a gun shot wound.  Preliminary information indicates the victims were shot one time each in the upper body.

Mr. Neal has still not been located.  The Buick he is in may have damage to the front driver's side quarter panel.   

The names of the victims will be disseminated to the media tomorrow along with additional details pertaining to this case. 

Anyone with information concerning Neal’s whereabouts should immediately call Troop 3 at 302-697-4455 or 911.  Neal should be considered armed and dangerous.  Citizens are advised not to contact or approach Mr. Neal and to call the authorities immediately. 

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For Immediate Release: State Police Probe Dover Area Double Homicide

Location of Incident: 2000 block of Generals Way, Dover, Delaware, Kent County

Date of Occurrence: Unspecified time overnight between November 8th to 9th, 2008. This incident was reported to the police at 9:02 a.m. on Sunday morning- November 9th.

Suspect: Damion Neal, 32, who is homeless, however, frequents and has connections to the Dover area.  Neal is a black male, 5’11” tall, 160 pounds. 

Resume: Troop 3 patrol officers were called this morning to the 2000 block of Generals Way, in the General Green development, as a female caller reported a male and female subject deceased in the home. 

In this case, the female reporting person responded to the above listed address to contact a family member.  She arrived at the residence and went inside. Once in the home, this reporting person located a female and male subject in the master bedroom.  These subjects were unresponsive and the reporting person called 911. 

Kent County Paramedics responded to the scene where the male and female subjects were pronounced dead. 

Authorities are looking for Damion Neal in connection to this homicide.  He is the ex-boyfriend to the deceased female found in the residence.  He was last seen driving a silver in color, Buick Century, bearing Delaware registration 107604.

                       

Anyone with information pertaining to Neal’s whereabouts should immediately call Troop 3 at 302-697-4455 or 911.  Neal should be considered armed and dangerous.  Citizens are advised not to contact or approach Mr. Neal and to call the authorities immediately. 

Another news release will be disseminated this afternoon with additional details pertaining to this incident.  The names of the deceased will be provided after a notification to the next of kin.

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Last Modified: January 07, 2009.