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.

Delaware State Police have arrested 25-year-old James Eaves of Dover, Delaware, for several felony firearm and theft-related offenses, as well as resisting arrest, following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle that culminated in an officer-involved shooting in Townsend last week. Eaves also had an outstanding warrant for a pursuit that occurred in New Castle County last month as well as a warrant from Pennsylvania for theft. Detectives also arrested 18-year-old Iman Houston of Wilmington, Delaware, a 19-year-old woman from Smyrna, Delaware, and a 22-year-old man from Wilmington, Delaware, for offenses related to the incident.

On May 9, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., troopers responded to Dupont Highway in Camden for a report of a stolen white Infiniti QX6 traveling in the area. A trooper observed the Infiniti at Walmart, located at 263 Walmart Drive in Camden, and a computer check confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen within the jurisdiction of New Castle County Police earlier this month. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop. A pursuit ensued, during which the Infiniti traveled at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner on Dupont Highway. Due to safety concerns for pedestrians and other motorists, the pursuit was terminated in Dover.

A short time later, a trooper saw the Infiniti traveling northbound on Dupont Highway near the Dover Mall and attempted to pull it over. The driver once again disregarded the police signal, and a second pursuit ensued. The Infiniti exited Dupont Highway and traveled northbound on Route 1 as it continued traveling at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner. The Infiniti then exited Route 1 and entered the city limits of Smyrna, where it collided with another vehicle. Despite the collision, the driver did not stop and continued northbound until the vehicle became disabled north of Fieldsboro Road in Townsend.

The investigation revealed that the encounter unfolded rapidly after the suspects exited the vehicle. The driver, later identified as James Eaves, dropped a firearm onto the roadway as he exited, then picked it up moments later and briefly turned toward the approaching trooper with the weapon in his hand. In response, the trooper drew his department-issued handgun while moving toward Eaves. Eaves then quickly turned away and attempted to run toward a nearby tree line, still armed.

Despite verbal commands to stop and drop the weapon, Eaves did not comply. The trooper discharged his firearm striking him within seconds of this fast-moving, life-threatening armed encounter.

Troopers rendered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. Eaves was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries and is now in stable condition.

The remaining 3 suspects, later identified as Iman Houston, a 19-year-old woman, and a 22-year-old man, were located in a nearby wooded area and taken into custody without incident. They were taken to Troop 3, where Houston was charged with multiple crimes. The 19-year-old woman and the 22-year-old man were each charged with a misdemeanor offense of Resisting Arrest and released on $1,000 unsecured bond. In accordance with Delaware State Police policy, their names are not being released due to the misdemeanor nature of the charges.

Eaves was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and turned over to the custody of Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $138,407 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Possession or Control of Firearm by Person Prohibited Causes Injury or Death of Another Person Within 10 Yrs
  of Prior Conviction for Any Violent Felony (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence and Intentionally Fleeing from a Peace Officer (Felony)
• Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal (Felony)
• Receiving Stolen Property over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)

Houston was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.

• Receiving Stolen Property over $1,500 (Felony)
• Conspiracy 2^nd Degree (Felony)
• Resisting Arrest

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

Also, in line with standard operating procedures, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Sergeant S. Yeich 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 1-800-847-3333.

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

Delaware State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting following a pursuit of a stolen vehicle that occurred in Townsend last night.

On May 9, 2025, at approximately 9:15 p.m., troopers responded to Dupont Highway in Camden for a report of a stolen white Infiniti QX6 traveling in the area. A trooper located the Infiniti at Walmart, located at 263 Walmart Drive in Camden, and a computer check confirmed the vehicle was stolen within the jurisdiction of New Castle County Police earlier this month. The trooper initiated a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop. In the ensuing pursuit, the Infiniti traveled at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner on Dupont Highway in Dover, but the pursuit was ultimately terminated out of concern for the safety of pedestrians and other motorists. A short time later, a trooper saw the Infiniti traveling northbound on Dupont Highway near the Dover Mall and attempted to pull it over. The driver once again disregarded the police signal, and a second pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the Infiniti exited Dupont Highway and traveled northbound on Route 1 as it continued traveling at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner. The Infiniti then exited Route 1 and entered the city limits of Smyrna, where it collided with another vehicle. After the collision the Infiniti did not stop, and continued northbound on Dupont Highway, until it eventually came to a stop north of Fieldsboro Road after becoming disabled.

The preliminary investigation revealed that after the Infiniti came to a stop, the driver and 3 passengers began fleeing on foot from the stolen vehicle as a trooper was approaching them. While approaching the Infiniti, the trooper observed the black male driver drop a firearm in the roadway as he exited the Infiniti. The driver picked up the firearm and fled on foot towards a tree line with the firearm in his hand. During the foot chase with the suspect, the trooper gave verbal commands for the suspect to stop and drop the weapon, but the suspect did not comply. Subsequently, the trooper discharged his divisionally issued handgun, striking the suspect.

Troopers rendered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The suspect, a 25-year-old man from Dover, Delaware, was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.

The remaining 3 suspects were located in a nearby wooded area and taken into custody without incident. No one was hurt during the collision.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved trooper has been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Sergeant S. Yeich 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 1-800-847-3333.

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

The Delaware State Police have identified 44-year-old Gregory Painter of Milford, Delaware, as the man who died in the officer-involved shooting that occurred in Milton on Thursday.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave while a use-of-force investigation is conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Milton yesterday afternoon.

On May 1, 2025, at approximately 3:56 p.m., troopers responded to Lewes-Georgetown Highway near Harbeson Road for reports of a possible impaired driver after several 9-1-1 calls from witnesses. Prior to arrival, dispatchers advised troopers that a red Ford F-150 was seen driving at a slow speed, swerving into the opposite lane of travel, and driving on the shoulder. Troopers located the vehicle on Coolspring Road near Fisher Road and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued on area roads. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in a driveway on the 28000 block of West Springside Drive in the community of Cool Spring Farms. The white male suspect exited the vehicle, with a knife, and ran into a nearby occupied home that he did not reside in. He then exited the home with the knife. Troopers gave repeated verbal commands for him to stop and drop the weapon. The suspect ignored these commands and continued to advance toward the troopers. As a result, both troopers discharged their divisionally issued handguns, striking the suspect.

Troopers immediately rendered first aid until emergency medical services arrived. The suspect, a 44-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until family is notified.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved troopers have been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. 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.

Delaware State Police have identified 22-year-old Alondra Quinonez of Wilmington, Delaware, as the victim of a homicide that occurred at a residence on Limestone Road in Wilmington on August 4, 2024. The murder suspect, identified as 57-year-old Francisco Vasquez of Milford, Delaware, died in the officer-involved shooting that occurred following the homicide.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave while a use-of-force investigation is conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide and officer-involved shooting that occurred in New Castle County yesterday that left one woman and one man dead.

On August 4, 2024, at approximately 9:41 a.m., troopers were dispatched to the Exxon, located at 414 Main Street, Stanton, for a report of a male with a firearm at a nearby residence. A short time later, troopers, along with Fire and EMS, responded to a residence on the 1700 block of Limestone Road, for a separate report of a house fire. Upon arriving, emergency personnel found a 22-year-old Wilmington woman suffering from a gunshot wound in the home and began life-saving efforts. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld until her family and relatives are notified. Due to the nature of the investigation, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit and the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office assumed the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, a 57-year-old man from Milford, Delaware, forcibly entered his ex-spouse’s home and fired multiple rounds at the two occupants. The gunfire struck the 22-year-old victim. The second occupant, a 20-year-old Wilmington man, was not struck and fled from the residence to the nearby Exxon. The homeowner was not at the residence. After the shooting, the suspect set fire to the home and fled in a vehicle. Through investigative means, members of the Delaware State Police Aviation Section located the suspect vehicle and suspect in the area of the C&D Canal. Over the course of several hours, troopers attempted to negotiate with the armed suspect, who had climbed onto the lower level of a high-tension electrical tower. Ultimately, the suspect fired a weapon at troopers, which prompted three troopers to discharge their divisional-issued firearms at him.

Following the shooting, troopers administered first aid to the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family and relatives are notified.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved troopers have been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective B. McDerby by calling 302-741-2821. 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.

Delaware State Police have identified 59-year-old William Whitehead of Frederica, Delaware, as the victim of a homicide that occurred on June 4, 2024, in Dover. The murder suspect, identified as 51-year-old Arnold Azamar of Camden, Delaware, died in the officer-involved shooting that occurred following the homicide.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the troopers involved have been placed on administrative leave while a use-of-force investigation is conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by calling 302-365-8441 or emailing daniel.grassi@delaware.gov. 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.

Delaware State Police are investigating a homicide and officer-involved shooting that occurred in Dover yesterday afternoon that left two men dead.

On June 4, 2024, at approximately 5:25 p.m., troopers responded to Harmony at Kent Senior Living Center located at 1435 East Lebanon Road, Dover, for a report of a trespassing that escalated to a shooting. The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect, a 51-year-old man from Camden, Delaware, was on the property visiting a female relative after having been banned from the facility for aggressive behavior in the past. The suspect, accompanied by his female relative, was escorted out of the building by a 59-year-old staff member. Upon exiting the building, the suspect punched the staff member then ran to his vehicle and retrieved a handgun from within. Once armed, the suspect fired one shot into a male relative’s vehicle as they drove through the senior living facility’s parking lot and then shot the 59-year-old staff member. After shooting the victim, the suspect remained by his vehicle alongside his female relative as troopers, and officers from Probation and Parole, Wyoming Police Department, and Dover Police Department arrived at the scene. Troopers attempted to negotiate with the suspect, however, he walked away from his vehicle and raised the handgun, which prompted two troopers to discharge their divisional-issued firearms at him.

Following the shooting, troopers administered first aid to the suspect and the staff member until EMS arrived and transported them to an area hospital, where they were both pronounced dead. The suspect’s and the victim’s names are being withheld until their family and relatives are notified. No one else was injured as a result of this incident.

Per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved troopers have been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation conducted in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Justice.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is still actively investigating this incident and asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by calling 302-365-8441 or emailing daniel.grassi@delaware.gov. 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.

In a coordinated effort with allied law enforcement agencies, Delaware State Police located Brian Holben, the attempted murder suspect involved in the officer-involved shooting, on Tuesday. The culmination of investigative efforts led to the execution of a search warrant on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the discovery of Holben’s deceased body in Maryland.

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Maryland State Police, in collaboration with the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force, assisted Delaware State Police detectives by serving a search warrant for Holben. The operation aimed to apprehend Holben, who had fired a gun at Delaware State Police detectives on November 28, 2023. Through investigative means, detectives learned of Holben’s location inside a camper, situated on a property at the 13000 block of Holly Road, Greensboro, Maryland.

During the execution of the search warrant, it was confirmed that Holben was inside the camper. Despite attempts to get him to surrender, Holben barricaded himself inside. Subsequent efforts to negotiate his surrender were unsuccessful. When police entered the camper, they discovered Holben with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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.