Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley
Bridgeville – The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into the death of a suspect that broke into a Coverdale area home.
The incident occurred around 11:54 p.m. Sunday September 24, 2017 when a 9-1-1 call was placed from the 11000 block of Iris Field Lane advising that a subject had been shot inside the residence. Troopers arrived at the home and located an unresponsive adult male near the kitchen area with a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The suspect, whose name is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin was pronounced dead at the scene by Sussex County Paramedics.
Preliminary investigation revealed an adult male resident was alone inside the house when two suspects broke in. A struggle ensued with one of the suspects that was armed with a handgun when a single round was fired, striking the suspect in the upper torso. The second suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. The male resident was uninjured in the incident.
The second suspect that fled the scene was described as a male wearing all dark clothing and a mask over his face.
Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence at the scene to determine the circumstances surrounding 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 M. Csapo at 302-698-8427. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”
Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Gary Fournier
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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Released: 092517 0610
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