Dewey Beach, DE– Delaware State Police are conducting a Dewey Beach Police Officer-involved shooting, which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old Milford man.

At the request of the Dewey Beach Police Department, this active and ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit and Delaware Department of Justice, Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.

On March 19, 2022, at approximately 1:17 a.m., officers with the Dewey Beach Police Department were notified by employees of the Starboard Restaurant located at 2009 Coastal Hwy of a male patron exiting the establishment with a gun. Officers attempted to contact the individual on the sidewalk out front of the business, but he fled on foot southbound on Coastal Hwy. Officers gave chase for approximately three blocks but lost sight of him. A search was conducted in the area by officers, but they were unsuccessful in locating the subject.

At approximately 2:23 a.m., the Dewey Beach Police Department 9-1-1 Center received a call from an employee of Starboard advising the suspect had returned to the business and was located by staff inside a restricted employee-only area. Two Dewey Beach Police Officers responded and located the male who was now inside the outdoor tent area of the business. When officers attempted to contact the male, he fled from the business northbound on Coastal Hwy before running westbound on Saulsbury St and into a nearby alleyway. At that time, the pursuing officers located the male, and a single gunshot was fired by a 1.5-year veteran officer with the Dewey Beach Police Department using the departmental issued firearm. The details surrounding the shooting incident are still in the early stages of the investigation. Once information becomes available, it will be released.

After the male was shot, he fled the area on foot. Responding officers located the male unconscious behind a commercial building in the 2100 block of Coastal Hwy with a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. Also located at the scene was a handgun.

Upon officers locating the unconscious male, they immediately began performing life-saving measures and called for EMS to respond. He was transported by ambulance to Beebe Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Division of Forensic Science will be conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

The Dewey Beach Police Officers involved in this incident were not injured. The officer involved in the shooting is currently placed on standard administrative leave with pay and benefits pending the outcome of this investigation.

The victim was later identified as a 21-year-old male from Milford, DE. Additional information regarding the victim will be provided once proper notification has been made to his family.

The Delaware State Police would like to thank the community for their patience as the investigation is conducted. We recognize this incident is alarming, and we assure you that community safety remains a priority.

The Delaware State Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has video surveillance to please contact Sgt. Stephen Yeich with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit by calling 302-741-2703. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com

Delaware State Police Conducting Criminal Investigation- Dewey Beach

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need 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. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 031922 1544

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