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Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley


*Update- Suspect Arrested* Delaware State Police Investigating Death Investigation- Seaford


Date Posted: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

Seaford–  The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has arrested 19-year-old Unique Smith of Seaford, DE, in connection with a homicide that occurred on August 8, 2020.

The investigation began on August 8, 2020, at approximately 1:07 a.m., when the troopers were dispatched to The Woodshed Bar and Package store located at 22588 Bridgeville Highway, for a report of a fight in progress. Upon their arrival, troopers discovered 28-year-old Jeffrey L. Akins Jr. sustained one gunshot wound to his back, he was transported to Nanticoke Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.  The victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy was performed and the cause and manner of death was determined to be a homicide sustained from a single gunshot wound to the back.

Through investigative measures, detectives were able to identify Smith as a suspect and obtain a warrant for his arrest. On September 21, 2020, Smith was located and arrested at an apartment complex in Salisbury, MD by the United States Marshals Task Force. He is currently in custody in Maryland and awaiting extradition to Delaware. Smith is being charged with the following crimes:

  • Murder 1st Degree (felony)
  • Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (felony)
  • Assault 3rd Degree 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective J. King of the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at (302)741-2821

Click on link for original release: Delaware State Police Conducting Death Investigation- Seaford

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@state.de.us.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 092220 1304

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