Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Update State Police Homicide Detectives Investigating New Castle Area Motel Shooting

Date Posted: Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

White "Homicide Investigation" with a DSP patrol Tahoe in the background

The Delaware State Police have identified 49-year-old John Pipkin of Wilmington, Delaware, as the victim of a homicide that occurred at the Budget Inn in New Castle on December 22, 2024. The murder suspect, identified as 30-year-old Marvin Clifford of North Charleston, South Carolina, was arrested for multiple felony charges yesterday.

On December 22, 2024, at approximately 8:21 p.m., troopers responded to the Budget Inn, located at 3 Memorial Drive, New Castle, for a report of a shooting. Upon arriving, troopers found John Pipkin in the parking lot suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Pipkin was transported by EMS to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation and learned Pipkin was shot by an unknown suspect during a robbery that occurred in the rear parking lot of the motel.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Marvin Clifford as the suspect responsible for the homicide, and he was taken into custody. On December 23, 2024, at Troop 2, Clifford was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $1,110,000 cash bond.

Murder 1^st Degree (Felony)
Attempted to Commit Robbery 1^st Degree (Felony)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)

The Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking for anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by email at daniel.grassi@delaware.gov or by calling 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

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 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.