The 2024 Fall Delaware State Police Citizens Police Academy will start on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The academy will consist of nine two-hour sessions on Thursday nights, with the final session on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Most classes will take place at Delaware State Police Troop 3, located at 3759 South State Street, Camden, Delaware.

Participants will learn about a wide range of intriguing police activities consistent with the experiences of the Delaware State Police today. The Academy includes, but is not limited to, classroom instruction on evidence processing, criminal and traffic investigations, tours of DSP facilities, familiarization with special units, and other topics. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to ride with patrol troopers.

Class size will be limited to 20 participants, and background checks will be conducted on all applicants.

Applications can be submitted online through the Citizens Police Academy website from now until August 16, 2024.

Delaware State Police have identified 19-year-old Ryan Simpson of Milton, Delaware, as the victim of the homicide that occurred in Milton on July 22, 2024.

The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective A. Bluto by calling (302) 741-2859. 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 Homicide Unit continues to investigate the 2019 murder of Susan Ledyard, 50, of Wilmington, Delaware.

On July 23, 2019, at 7:39 a.m., Susan Ledyard’s body was recovered from the Brandywine River near Northeast Boulevard in Wilmington. She had visible injuries, and a post-mortem examination by the Division of Forensic Science determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma and drowning. The manner of death was ruled a homicide. At the time of her death, Susan was 5’4″, weighed 130 pounds, had shoulder-length brown hair, and was wearing a purple tank top.

Later that morning, at 8:54 a.m., Susan’s black 2016 Honda Civic was found parked near the Rising Sun Lane Bridge over the Brandywine River, approximately three miles upstream from where her body was recovered. Based on the timeline and the river’s course, detectives do not believe Susan entered the river where her vehicle was parked.

Detectives established a partial timeline of Susan’s activities through video surveillance and cell phone records. She was active on her cell phone throughout the night, texting and calling friends until 2:45 a.m. At 3:02 a.m., her car was seen leaving her driveway and was parked on Walkers Mill Road approximately two minutes later. Detectives believe the car was driven directly from her house to where it was found, given the time elapsed.

Data from Susan’s Fitbit confirmed she was alive until approximately 7:00 a.m., but her whereabouts between 3:00 and 7:00 a.m. remain unknown. Detectives also have not determined why she left her residence.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has received assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies and civilian experts throughout this investigation. Detectives continue to seek public assistance to gather more information about Susan’s murder and her activities in the hours leading up to her death.

The Morrissey family, Susan’s parents, and her siblings have been supportive of this investigation. In partnership with Delaware Crime Stoppers, they are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Detective Daniel 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.

Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate a shooting that occurred in Milton yesterday morning that left a man dead.

On July 22, 2024, at approximately 4:47 a.m., troopers responded to the 14000 block of Collins Street in Milton for a report of a shooting. When troopers arrived, they found a 19-year-old man that had been shot in the upper torso and began life-saving efforts. The victim was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

On July 23, 2024, the 19-year-old victim died as a result of injuries from the shooting. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective A. Bluto by calling (302) 741-2859. 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 shooting that occurred in Milton this morning.

On July 22, 2024, at approximately 4:47 a.m., troopers responded to the 14000 block of Collins Street in Milton for a report of a shooting. When troopers arrived, they found a 19-year-old man that had been shot in the upper torso and began life-saving efforts. The victim was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was living in a shed on the property when an unknown suspect fired several shots into the shed, hitting the victim.

The Homicide Unit is actively investigating this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective A. Bluto by calling (302) 741-2859. 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 are investigating a shooting incident that occurred late Saturday night on New Castle Avenue in New Castle, Delaware.

On July 20, 2024, at approximately 10:53 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a shooting in the 3100 block of New Castle Avenue. Preliminary investigations revealed that an 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old male, both from Wilmington, Delaware, were riding their bicycles northbound on New Castle Avenue. As they approached the Spice N’ Nice Restaurant, they crossed from the east side of the roadway to the west side.

During this crossing, the 18-year-old man felt a sudden impact and realized he had been shot. As the shooting continued, he managed to cross back to the east side of the road and then started running after abandoning his bicycle. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old male continued riding northbound on New Castle Avenue. The unidentified suspect(s) fled the scene.

The 18-year-old victim was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. No other injuries were reported.

Currently, there is no description of the suspect(s), and no video surveillance or images are available.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues its investigation and believes the incident occurred between 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Troopers are seeking assistance from the public and urge anyone with exterior home surveillance in the area or who may have witnessed the incident to contact Detective J. Gliem at (302) 365-8428. 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 attempted robbery that resulted in a vehicle crash on Friday night.

On July 19, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Railroad Avenue in Townsend for a reported robbery. The preliminary investigation revealed that two young victims, a 19-year-old man from Middletown, Delaware, and an 18-year-old woman from Newark, Delaware, had arranged to sell vape pens to an unknown individual they had met through social media.

When they arrived at a residence on the 500 block of Railroad Avenue, the victims were approached by two suspects on foot. The suspects entered the vehicle, brandished handguns, and demanded the vape pens and money.

In response, the 19-year-old driver began honking the vehicle’s horn, causing one suspect to flee. The second suspect remained inside as the driver attempted to escape by driving away. The vehicle veered off Railroad Avenue and collided with a utility pole before crashing into a nearby residence. After the crash, all individuals exited the vehicle. The 19-year-old driver pursued the suspects, at which point one of the suspects fired a shot at him. The suspects then fled the scene.

The 18-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash. No other injuries were reported, including from the occupied residence that was struck. Currently, there is no description of the suspects, and no video surveillance or images are available at this time.

Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit continues its investigation and urges anyone who may have witnessed or has relevant information regarding this incident to contact Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8404. 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 following individuals are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed individuals are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R.) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offenders after they either failed to register or re-register at their current address. If anyone knows the location of these individuals, please call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The Delaware State Police continues to investigate a Bridgeville area crash that occurred early Wednesday morning after 22-year-old Djifenson Dorilus of Salisbury, Maryland, died from injuries sustained in the crash.

On July 17, 2024, at approximately 12:59 a.m., a 2017 Dodge Durango was traveling in a northbound lane of Sussex Highway, approaching the area of Newtown Road. Simultaneously, a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling southbound in a northbound lane of Sussex Highway, in the Dodge’s path of travel. Both vehicles were traveling in the left northbound lane of Sussex Highway as they approached each other from opposite directions. In an attempt to avoid a collision with the Hyundai, the Dodge moved into the right northbound lane of Sussex Highway. At the same time, the Hyundai also moved into the right northbound lane of Sussex Highway. As a result, the front of the Hyundai struck the front of the Dodge. After the initial impact, the Hyundai overturned onto its roof and rotated clockwise before it came to rest between the shoulder and the right northbound lane. The Dodge rotated clockwise and came to rest on the centerline of the roadway.

The driver of the Hyundai, identified as Djifenson Dorilus, was transported to an area hospital for life-threatening injuries. On July 18, 2024, Djifenson died from injuries sustained in the crash. His family and relatives were notified.

The driver of the Dodge, a 46-year-old man from Millsboro, Delaware, was taken to an area hospital for a serious injury.

The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this incident. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed this crash to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. 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 you 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.