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Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


**Update – Name Released** Detectives Conducting Homicide Investigation North of Milton


Date Posted: Monday, October 9th, 2017

Milton – The Delaware State Police are releasing the name of the male subject that died during a domestic incident north of Milton on October 5th as John Pinto 3rd.

The incident occurred around 10:23 p.m. Thursday October 5, 2017, after neighbors called 9-1-1 to report that male and female in the 13000 block of Sunland Drive were having a domestic.  Troopers responded to the scene and learned that a John Pinto 3rd, 61, was armed with an unknown type firearm and was threatening to harm his wife who was alone in the house with him.  Troopers established a perimeter around the house and began communicating with John over the phone who then began to make threatening statements toward the first responders.  As troopers were talking with John, gunshots were heard inside the residence and communication was lost.  Shortly after the gunshots, a 9-1-1 call was placed from within the house by a 60-year-old female stating both her and John had been shot.

Entry was made into the house and troopers located the male and female in a bedroom, where the John Pinto was pronounced dead by Sussex County Paramedics.  An autopsy was performed at a later date by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science and determined his death to a homicide by gunshot wounds to the upper torso.

The female was removed from the scene by EMS and transported to Beebe Healthcare before being airlifted to Christiana Medical Center where she continues to be listed in critical condition due to gunshot wounds she sustained to her lower torso during the altercation with John.

Homicide Detectives continue to investigate this incident.  Additional information and investigative details will be disseminated as soon as it becomes available and the investigation progresses.

If anyone has any information in reference to this incident, they are asked to contact the Detective J. King at 302-698-8561. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

Click to view original release: Detectives Conducting Homicide Investigation North of Milton

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier

Released: 100917 1145

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