Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

Delaware State Police Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Lewes

Date Posted: Monday, June 23rd, 2025

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Sunday night in Lewes.

On June 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a residence in the 32000 block of Cea Dag Circle in Dagsboro to check on the welfare of a 49-year-old armed man who made threats to harm himself and his family. The man was identified as Jason Arnold.

While responding, troopers learned that Arnold was driving a black Honda Pilot and was possibly on his way to the family home on Blackwood Drive in Lewes. An officer from the Millsboro Police Department spotted a vehicle matching the description in town limits and attempted a traffic stop. The Honda did not stop, and a pursuit ensued with the assistance of a trooper. The pursuit ended on Blackwood Drive.

The preliminary investigation revealed that after coming to a stop on Blackwood Drive, Arnold got out of the Honda armed with a firearm and began shooting at the officers. The Millsboro officer and the trooper returned fire. Arnold was hit during the exchange but ran into his family’s house on Blackwood Drive.

Over the next several hours, members of the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team and the Crisis Management Team attempted to negotiate Arnold’s surrender. Eventually, officers entered the home and found Arnold dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His family has been notified.

During the incident, a 69-year-old woman in a neighboring home sustained minor injuries. It is unclear at this time whether her injuries were directly related to the exchange of gunfire. She was treated at a local hospital and released. No other injuries were reported.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the trooper involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a use-of-force investigation conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice. The Millsboro Police Department officer involved will also follow their departmental protocol.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone with relevant information to contact Detective M. Csapo at (302) 741-2729. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-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.