The Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old Shawn Wootson, of New Castle, Delaware, on murder and attempted rape charges following a 2024 death investigation in Newark. 

On November 23, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers responded to the area of a retention pond at the Christiana Hospital campus, located at 4755 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark. Troopers found 42-year-old Amie Bradley from North Carolina unresponsive and began life-saving efforts. The victim was transported to the hospital by EMS, where she later died.  

Due to the suspicious nature of the case, the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Homicide Unit, took over the case.  Through extensive investigation, Wootson was identified as a person of interest, and detectives found evidence indicating he strangled and attempted to sexually assault the victim. Until recently, detectives were unable to contact him as he fled out of the state shortly after the incident.  

On March 16, 2026, detectives presented their investigative findings to a New Castle County Grand Jury, which indicted Wootson for Bradley’s murder. On March 17, 2026, detectives, with the assistance of the DSP Special Operations Response Team (SORT), took Wootson into custody and transported him to Troop 2. 

At Troop 2, during a break in Wootson’s interview and while he was confined in a formal interview room, he accessed the ceiling and attempted to escape. Wootson was quickly apprehended following a taser deployment. During this incident, a large police presence was deployed around the Troop’s exterior as a precaution. Additional charges are pending for Wootson’s attempted escape.  

Wootson was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $2,060,000 cash bond. 

• Murder in the First Degree (Felony) – 2 counts 

• Attempted Rape Second Degree 

The Delaware State Police arrested a 17-year-old male from Wilmington, Delaware, and are searching for a second suspect following an armed robbery that occurred Saturday evening at the Christiana Mall in Newark.

On March 21, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m., troopers responded to the parking lot near JCPenney, located at 606 Christiana Mall, for a reported armed robbery. Responding troopers were provided with suspect descriptions and located the 17-year-old matching one of the descriptions. The teen ran away, and troopers chased him across multiple lanes of Route 1 before taking him into custody. A loaded handgun was recovered from his waistband.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. The preliminary investigation revealed as two victims were preparing to enter their vehicle, the 17-year-old and an unknown male suspect approached and demanded the first victim turn over their personal property. The 17-year-old produced a handgun while the other suspect removed the victim’s belongings. The unknown suspect ran away with the victim’s property and the 17-year-old struck the victim in their head with the firearm. The armed teen then chased after the second victim while aiming the firearm at them, however they escaped uninjured.

The victim struck with the firearm, a 47-year-old man from Bridgeville, declined medical treatment on scene.

The second suspect is described as a Black male, approximately 20 to 24 years old, between 5’8” and 5’9” tall, and weighing 160 to 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, dark-colored jeans, and a black face mask. He fled in an unknown direction. Initial reports indicated the suspect was armed, however the subsequent investigation confirmed he was unarmed.

While troopers were investigating the robbery, the New Castle County Police Department was already on mall property investigating an unrelated carjacking incident.

The 17-year-old was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families on a $55,000 cash bond.

• Robbery First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Possession of Ammo for a Firearm by a Person Under 21 (Felony)
• Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives ask anyone who witnessed or has information about this case to contact Detective J. Lucyk at (302) 365-8446. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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.

The Delaware State Police arrested 73-year-old Teddy Torres, of Newark, Delaware, for felony firearm and related charges after threatening a medical office employee with a handgun Thursday afternoon in Newark.

On March 20, 2026, troopers responded to a medical office located within 1 Centurian Drive, in Newark, for a report of a weapons violation. The preliminary investigation revealed on the afternoon of March 19, 2026, the suspect requested to speak with a specific employee regarding a billing issue. During the conversation, the suspect lifted his shirt, revealing a handgun, and made a statement indicating it would be easy to take the employee hostage. Troopers were provided with a description of the handgun.

Through the investigation, troopers identified the suspect as Teddy Torres and learned he held a license to carry concealed deadly weapons.

Later that day, troopers located Torres driving on Lucerne Drive in Newark and conducted a traffic stop. During a subsequent search, troopers recovered a handgun from his possession which matched the previously provided description.

Torres was taken to Troop 6 where he was charged with the below listed crimes, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $67,000 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
• Harassment

The Delaware State Police arrested 58-year-old Frederick Fenton, of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in connection with a string of commercial burglaries that began in early March.

On March 8, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m., troopers responded to the Exxon gas station, located at 2600 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark, for a reported burglary. The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown male suspect used a tool to damage the business’s front door lock before entering the building. Once inside, the suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the area.

On March 15, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., troopers responded to White Clay Liquors, located at 4614 Ogletown Stanton Road in Newark, for another reported burglary. Investigators determined the suspect again used a tool to disable the business’s front door lock before entering. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash and multiple packs of cigarettes before fleeing.

Later that same day, at approximately 10:20 p.m., troopers learned of a third burglary at Country Tobacco, located at 5998 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. Similar to the previous incidents, the suspect forced entry by defeating the store’s front door lock and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect wore a face mask during all three burglaries.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case. Detectives discovered the suspect drove a dark-colored pickup truck and switched the registration plate with one stolen from a similar vehicle to avoid detection. Investigators also learned the suspect entered at least one of the businesses hours prior to the burglary in an apparent attempt to case the location. Through investigative efforts, detectives identified the suspect as Frederick Fenton and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On March 20, 2026, troopers patrolling New Castle Avenue saw Fenton’s pickup truck, conducted a traffic stop, and arrested him without incident.

Fenton was taken to Troop 2 where he was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $32,500 secured bond.

• Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
• Burglary Third Degree (Felony) – 3 counts
• Possession of Burglar Tools (Felony) – 3 counts
• Theft $1500 or Greater (Felony) – 2 counts
• Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
• Criminal Mischief Under $1000 – 3 counts

The Delaware State Police have arrested 40-year-old John Sulecki of Millsboro, Delaware, for the murder of a family member on Thursday in Millsboro.

On March 19, 2026, at approximately 12:10 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on White Pine Drive within The Pines at Long Neck community.  A third-party family member, who had run from the residence and called 9-1-1, reported that Sulecki had a gun and had shot a 72-year-old female relative during an argument.

When troopers arrived, Sulecki was taken into custody without incident. The victim was found in the house with a suspected gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

Due to the nature of the incident, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.  Detectives learned that Sulecki and the victim were involved in an argument, and while in a back room of the house, he shot her.

Sulecki was taken to Troop 7, where he was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $1,060,000 cash bond.

• Murder First Degree (Felony)
• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8471. Information can also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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.

The Delaware State Police have arrested 26-year-old Jayson Willin, of Georgetown, Delaware, for felony drug charges in Georgetown.

On March 17, 2026, members of the Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, along with Probation and Parole, responded to the 500 block of Union Drive in Georgetown to locate probationer Jayson Willin, who also had an arrest warrant for breach of release. Detectives saw Willin and when they attempted to contact him, he ran away but was quickly taken into custody. During a search of his person, detectives found approximately 6.97 grams of cocaine, approximately 1.45 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 0.52 grams of methamphetamine, a buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual strip, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia. After being placed in the back of a probation officer’s vehicle, Willin was able to get out but was again quickly apprehended.  During an administrative search of Willin’s apartment, probation officers found approximately 19.96 grams of cocaine, baking soda, a digital scale, and a Pyrex cup and spoon with white powder residue.

Willin was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $78,200 secured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
• Unlawful to Knowingly Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
• Possess Consume a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone w/o a Prescription – 3 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – 3 counts
• Resisting Arrest
• Attempt to Escape 3^rd Degree
• Breach of Release – 2 counts

The Delaware State Police have arrested 32-year-old Michael Smith of Bronx, New York, for forgery and felony theft.

On February 2, 2026, troopers were contacted by a 75-year-old Milford woman who reported a fraud. When troopers spoke to the victim, they learned she had mailed a check to pay a bill and was notified that the payment was not received. She later found that $6,000 had been withdrawn from her account. During the investigation, detectives learned that the check was intercepted, altered, and cashed at a bank in New York. Through investigative means, detectives identified Michael Smith as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On March 16, 2026, Smith turned himself in at Justice of the Peace Court 2. He was arrested and taken to Troop 7, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

• Forgery 2nd Degree – Alters Written Instrument of Another Person without Authority (Felony)
• Theft $1,500 or Greater and the Victim is 62 Years of Age or Older (Felony)

The Delaware State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday in Greenwood while serving a warrant.

On March 11, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Delaware State Police, including members of the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration (SOAR) Unit, Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit, and the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), responded to the 11000 block of Wheatfield Road in Greenwood to execute a search warrant and apprehend 60-year-old Jeffrey Mitchem.  Earlier in the day, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Threat Operations Center notified DSP of threatening online posts by Mitchem. He had also sent a picture of himself holding what appeared to be a black handgun to a State Police SOAR detective, along with an image of a coffin. Additionally, Mitchem was wanted by the Arlington County Police Department (Virginia) for felony terroristic threatening.

When troopers arrived, Mitchem barricaded himself in his camper and refused to come out. The DSP Crisis Management Team established contact with Mitchem, who repeatedly refused commands to surrender and threatened that he had a large amount of gunpowder and was holding the trigger to detonate. Mitchem was seen spreading what appeared to be an unknown powdery substance inside the camper, and he kept one hand hidden inside when he stepped outside the door, supporting his threats.

A trooper fired a single shot, hitting Mitchem in the arm.  Following the shot, Mitchem threw a handgun out of the camper, exited, and was taken into custody without further incident.  Troopers provided first aid until emergency medical professionals arrived, and he was taken to an area hospital for serious injuries.

In accordance with DSP standard operating procedures for officer-involved shootings, the Homicide Unit assumed the investigation.  Preliminarily, detectives determined that the black handgun Mitchem threw from the camper was an airsoft pistol/replica of a Walther PPS M2 firearm. A search of the camper revealed that Mitchem had placed a 6.5-inch wooden-handled hunting-style knife on a shelf near the entrance where he was standing before being forced to surrender. Mitchem is prohibited from possessing a deadly weapon due to prior felony convictions. The DSP Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit confirmed that the unknown powdery substance was not explosive material.

Mitchem remains hospitalized. He was charged with the offenses listed below, arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 11, and turned over to the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction on a $43,000 secured bond.

• Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
• Intent Threaten the Life of or Threatens Severe Physical Injury to Public Official or Public Servant (Felony) – 19 counts
• Resisting Arrest

The involved trooper has been placed on administrative leave while a use-of-force investigation is conducted in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.

This is an active investigation, and detectives ask anyone with information about this case to contact Detective M. Csapo at (302) 741-2729. 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 has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs 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.

The Delaware State Police have arrested 25-year-old Maddyan Ata, 34-year-old Mohamed Lamar, both from Magnolia, Delaware, and 20-year-old Alex Gomez-McDowell of Dover, Delaware for felony drug offenses following a joint drug investigation with Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement, and the DEA.

Beginning in June of 2025, detectives from the Kent County Drug Unit and Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) began investigating Ali Baba Smoke Shop, located at 2131 South Dupont Highway in Dover, and Liberty Happy Gas Station, located at 50 West Birdie Lane in Magnolia for suspected large-scale distribution of drugs. Throughout the investigation, detectives identified Maddyan Ata, Mohamed Lamar, and Alex Gomez-McDowell as the suspects and obtained warrants for their arrest. On March 4, 2026, detectives executed search warrants at the smoke shop and gas station that led to the discovery of the following items:

Ali Baba Smoke Shop

• Approximately 255 pounds of marijuana and marijuana products (THC vapes)
• Drug paraphernalia related to the illegal sale and distribution of marijuana
• Fake urine used to mask drug use and defeat drug testing
• Approximately 1,818g of OPIA 7-hydroxymitragynine pills

Liberty Happy Gas Station

• 130 Viagra pills
• 2 digital scales
• Drug paraphernalia

Ata was taken into custody at Probation and Parole without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $249,300 cash bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony) – 2 counts
• Distribute, Deliver, Sell, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Drug Masking Product (Felony)
• Maintaining a Drug Property (Felony)
• Criminal Nuisance Conduct or Maintain Any Premise, Place, Resort for Unlawful Conduct
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Lamar was taken into custody at Liberty Happy Gas Station without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Gomez-McDowell was taken into custody at Ali Baba Smoke Shop without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

• Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 4 counts

Detectives ask anyone with information about this investigation to contact the Kent County Drug Unit by calling 302-698-8452. 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.

The Delaware State Police have arrested 57-year-old Dale Andrews of Lewes, Delaware, following a burglary and offensive touching that occurred early yesterday morning in Lewes.

On March 10, 2026, at approximately 2:00 a.m., troopers responded to a residence on the 19000 block of Plantation Road in Lewes for a report of a burglary in progress. When troopers arrived, they heard the occupants of the residence yelling and pointing in the direction of where the suspect ran. Troopers located the suspect, identified as Dale Andrews, and took him into custody without incident. The investigation revealed that Andrews entered the residence through an unlocked door and grabbed a 57-year-old man. Andrews ran away after being confronted by another occupant of the residence. The victim suffered minor injuries.

Andrews was arrested and taken to Troop 7, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $20,500 cash bond.

• Burglary 1^st Degree – Occupied Dwelling Causing Injury (Felony)
• Offensive Touching