Bear – The Delaware State Police have identified 29 year old Sheldon C. Francis of Middletown, as the suspect responsible for the shooting of an 85 year old female, and 86 year old male, husband and wife from Elkton, Maryland, on the grounds of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., in Bear, at approximately 10:13 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2020.

The 86 year old male victim was initially admitted to an area hospital in critical condition. On Saturday, May 9, 2020 the male victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The 85 year old female victim was pronounced deceased on scene at the time of the original incident. Identification of both victims is pending notification of next of kin.

Francis was located deceased at approximately 4:00 p.m., on the date of the incident, in a wooded area located just off of Brennan Blvd., in the development of Brennan Estates, which is adjacent to the grounds of the cemetery. This wooded area was where an exchange of gunfire between Francis and officers on scene had taken place at approximately 12:08 p.m. Upon being located Francis was confirmed to have sustained a gunshot wound. It is undetermined at this time if the wound was self-inflicted or as a result of the exchange of gunfire.

The investigation is active and ongoing and will be furthered by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. M. Ryde by calling 302-698-8557.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Click on the following links to view related releases:

Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE- Road Closure- Summit Bridge Rd* Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE #2*- Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE #3 – Situation Resolved* Troopers Investigating Shooting Incident – Bear

*UPDATE #4* Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery Shooting Confirmed to Be a Homicide

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@state.de.us.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 051020 0715

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Dover – The Delaware State Police Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (S.O.A.R) is currently looking for the following wanted sex offender after they either failed to register or re-register their current address. If anyone knows the location of this subject, they are asked to call 302-672-5306. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com/

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 050920 0730

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Dover– The following subjects are not wanted. This is a Homeless Sex Offender Public Notification. If you have information that the listed subjects are occupying a residence, please call 302-672-5306. Anyone with information in reference to the whereabouts of Robert Simmons is asked to please contact Detective M. Bailey at 302-943-1560. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 050920 0715

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Bear – The Delaware State Police have confirmed that an 85 year old female, and 86 year old male, husband and wife from Elkton, Maryland were the victims of a shooting that took place earlier today on the grounds of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located at 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., in Bear.

At approximately 10:13 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2020 Troopers were dispatched to the cemetery for a report of shots being fired. The first arriving officers on scene located the victims and confirmed that they both had sustained gunshot wounds. The female victim was pronounced deceased at the scene, the male was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Initial reports from the scene also advised that a subject had been seen running into an adjacent wooded area immediately after the gunshots were heard.

At approximately 11:08 a.m., officers on scene observed a male subject running into a wooded area, between the cemetery and Brennan Blvd., in the development of Brennan Estates. Officers immediately secured the area where the subject was observed.

At approximately 12:08 p.m., an exchange of gunfire took place between officers on scene and the suspect in the wooded area. During this exchange no law enforcement officers were injured.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., officers made entry in to the wooded area where they located the suspect who was confirmed to be deceased. They also observed that the suspect, a 29 year old Middletown man, had sustained an apparent gunshot wound. It is undetermined at this time if the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or as a result of the earlier exchange of gunfire.

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science will perform autopsies to determine the cause and manner of the deaths.

During the course of the incident, communication had been made with area residents via a reverse 911 call, and advised to shelter in place. Some residents who were in closer proximity to the incident were temporarily evacuated. Multiple area roadways were also closed during the operation.

Upon locating the suspect the area was deemed secure at which time the evacuees were able to return home and roadways were re-opened. Based on the nature of the incident a large police presence remained in the area as part of the ongoing investigation.

While the Delaware State Police are the primary investigating agency, during today’s operation they received assistance from multiple allied agencies from the federal, state and local levels, who provided manpower and resources, to include the ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals, DNREC, New Castle County P.D., Wilmington P.D., Dover P.D., Newark P.D., N.C.C. EMS and DELDOT.

The investigation is active and ongoing and will be furthered by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. M. Ryde by calling 302-698-8557.

Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Click on the following links to view related releases:

Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE- Road Closure- Summit Bridge Rd* Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE #2*- Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE #3 – Situation Resolved* Troopers Investigating Shooting Incident – Bear

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@state.de.us.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Please tell us how we’re doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released: 050820 2040

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Bear – The Delaware State Police are confirming that the the shooting incident that occurred at approximately 10:13 a.m., this morning at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located on Chesapeake City Rd. has been resolved.

The suspect responsible for the initial shooting of two subjects on the cemetery property, and who also had an exchange of gunfire with officers, was located deceased in the wooded area where the exchange of gunfire took place.

At this time the area is secure and there is no threat to public safety. The investigation is ongoing therefore a significant police presence will remain in and around the area for several hours.

Further details will be released as they become available.

Click on the following links to view related releases:

*UPDATE- Road Closure- Summit Bridge Rd* Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

*UPDATE #2*- Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:

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Bear- The Delaware State Police are continuing to investigate a shooting incident that occurred earlier today.

The incident occurred on Friday, May 8, 2020 at approximately 10:13 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 2465 Chesapeake City Road, for a report of shots being fired.  Upon arrival, Troopers located two adults, one male and one female, who both sustained gunshot wounds.

The operation is continuing at this time and is being focused in the area of Summit Bridge Road (Rt. 896) and Brennan Blvd, Bear. As this is an active and ongoing investigation there continues to be a heavy police presence in the area.

Communication has been made with affected area residents who were advised to shelter in place. Some area residents have been evacuated temporarily.

As a result of this operation the following road closures are in affect.

• Summit Bridge Rd. Rt. 896) northbound at Bethel Church Rd.
• Red Lion Rd. (Rt.71) at Howell School Rd.
• Fraser Rd. at Chesapeake City Rd.
• Summit Bridge Rd. (Rt. 896) southbound at County Rd.

This is an active and ongoing investigation with further details being released as they become available.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:050820 1600

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*

Bear– The Delaware State Police are currently on scene of a shots fired incident. As a result, all lanes Northbound and Southbound of Summit Bridge Road will be closed at Bethel Church Rd.

Motorists will experience delays in the area and are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.

For updated traffic conditions and road closure information, log on to http://www.deldot.gov/Traffic/travel_advisory/index.shtml#advisories.

For original release please see link below:

Troopers Investigating Shots Fired Complaint- Bear

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released:050820 1126

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Bear- The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shots fired incident.

Preliminary information has the incident occurring on May 8, 2020 at approximately 10:13 a.m., when Troopers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Chesapeake City Road, for a report of shots being fired.

There is heavy police activity in the area and motorist should expect delays and seek alternate routes of travel.

The investigation is in the early stages with further information being released as it becomes available.

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Senior Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 050820 1042

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Wilmington – The Delaware State Police have identified 24 year old, Yahmeya Wallace of Darby, PA, as the driver of a Nissan Altima, who was killed in a motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:32 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020, on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) in the area of Woodrow Avenue.

Click on the following link to view to view the original release: Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash – North Wilmington

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486.

http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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@state.de.us. 

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:050820 0900

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Wilmington – The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:32 p.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2020 on Rt. 202 (Concord Pike) in the area of Woodrow Avenue.

The initial investigation has determined that a 2012 Nissan Altima, driven by a 24 year old Darby, PA woman, was stopped in the exit lane of the BP gas station, located on the northbound side of Rt. 202, at the intersection with Woodrow Ave. A 2002 Toyota Highlander, driven by a 19 year old Newark woman, was traveling northbound on Rt. 202 in the center lane, approaching Woodrow Ave. The Toyota drifted off the right side of the road, with its front end striking the left side of the Nissan. After the initial impact, the Nissan was forced into a guardrail and then a utility pole, before coming to rest in the parking lot of an adjacent business. The Toyota continued traveling in a northwesterly direction, crossing the northbound lanes of Rt. 202 and the center median, before coming to rest in the southbound lanes of Rt. 202 facing north.

The driver of the Nissan, who was not seat belted, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Identification is pending notification of next of kin.

The driver of the Toyota, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Christiana Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Impairment is not deemed a contributing factor in the crash.

All lanes of Rt. 202 between Woodrow Avenue and Nichols Avenue were closed for approximately 4 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Cpl. J. Breen of the Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit by calling 302-365-8486.

http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

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@state.de.us. 

You can follow the Delaware State Police by clicking on:

Delaware State Police Official Web Site

Facebook

Twitter

Nextdoor

.

Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin

Released:050720 0900

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