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Delaware State Police
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Update #2 on Trooper Involved Shooting Released Friday, June 13, 2008 Millsboro – The Delaware State Police are releasing additional details as they pertain to the police officer involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday evening. Evidence technicians have determined from examination of the crime scene that the tree one of the troopers was taking cover behind when Mr. Bliss was firing the gun at them had four fresh “distinct defects” in it. These defects were located on the front of the tree as it relates to the positioning of Mr. Bliss. Again, the trooper was behind this tree. This would indicate that Mr. Bliss possibly fired four rounds at the troopers. This finding is consistent with evidence recovered from within the handgun. The weapon utilized by Mr. Bliss held seven total rounds and homicide detectives recovered three rounds still in the magazine of the weapon. The troopers involved on the shooting are Trooper India Sturgis and Trooper Jason Vernon. They remain on administrative duty. The cause of death is a single gunshot wound to the chest.
### Update # 1 on Trooper Involved Shooting Released Thursday, June 12, 2008 Millsboro – The Delaware State Police are releasing additional details surrounding yesterdays shooting. As previously reported, last evening troopers were called to 32487 River Road, in Oak Orchard in Millsboro, in reference to an intoxicated suicidal subject who had allegedly had cut his own wrists. This subject is now being identified as Gary L Bliss, a 58 year old male who resides at this River Road address. When troopers got to the scene, they learned the subject in question had left the residence and went into a shed on the rear of the property. Once the troopers exited their marked patrol vehicles, the suspect came out of the shed and began approaching the uniformed troopers in an aggressive manner- verbally challenging the officers. The suspect began yelling profanities at the troopers while brandishing a handgun and pointing it at them. The troopers began to verbally negotiate with the suspect commanding, in fact pleading with him to drop the weapon. The suspect refused to put the weapon down and then began firing upon the troopers as he continued to walk directly at one of the officers. The troopers who were in fear for their own safety and the safety of the surrounding residents discharged their issued handguns striking the suspect. Eight total rounds were fired by Troopers. Once the suspect was struck, the Troopers began to immediately render first aid. Medical personnel, who were staging nearby, then responded in and took over these life saving measures. Unfortunately, Mr. Bliss died as a result of injury at the scene. It should be noted that Mr. Bliss’ wife was in the residence at the time of the shooting and was not injured. As a result of this incident the Troopers involved in this case have been placed on administrative duty pending a review of the incident. Both Troopers were hired by the State Police in 2007 and graduated from the academy in February in 2008. They are both currently assigned to Troop 4 in Georgetown in a patrol capacity. The handgun has been identified as a high air pressured Crossman 22/10 Pellet Pistol…. a .45 caliber replica. This weapon had a distinctive sound when fired which was heard by neighbors and the subject’s wife inside the residence. Troopers have confirmed that the state police responded to this residence in question once in 2002 in reference to a subject with a gun attempting to commit suicide. This subject was in fact Mr. Bliss and at the conclusion of the Troopers investigation, Bliss was committed to the Rockford Center. The names of the troopers involved in the incident are currently being withheld per divisional policy and will be released tomorrow morning. Mr. Bliss has been turned over to the state medical examiner for an autopsy.
Weapon used by suspect
### Preliminary Release – Trooper Involved Shooting Released Thursday, June 12, 2008 / 12:44 am Millsboro – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a Trooper involved shooting that occurred earlier this evening in the 30000 block of River Road, Oak Orchard, Millsboro. Troopers responded to the residence at 8:28 pm after 911 was called reporting a 58 year old resident was threatening suicide and that he had cut his wrist in an attempt to harm himself. When troopers arrived on-scene, they learned the suspect had left the residence and entered a shed on the rear of the property. Once the troopers exited their marked patrol vehicles, the suspect came out of the shed and began approaching the uniformed troopers. The suspect was yelling at the troopers while brandishing a handgun and pointing it at them. Immediately the troopers began to verbally negotiate with the suspect asking him to drop the weapon. The suspect refused to put the weapon down and began firing upon the troopers. The troopers who were in fear for their safety and the safety of the surrounding residents discharged their issued handguns at the suspect. The suspect was struck and died as a result of injuries sustained. The troopers involved were not injured. This investigation is in its infancy and additional details will be released later this morning when they are known and confirmed. ###
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