City of Wilmington
News from the Office of Police Chief Michael J. Szczerba
For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 4, 2010, 9:15 a.m.
Contact:
M/Sgt. Steven H. Barnes
Wilmington Police Headquarters
300 N. Walnut Street
(302) 576-3162
Early this morning (Thursday, February 4, 2010) at approximately 2:08 a.m., Wilmington Police detectives were investigating a homicide in the 200 block of N. Broom Street that occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Upon conclusion of the investigation, a Wilmington Police detective was walking back to his vehicle which was parked in the 200 block of N. Broom Street approximately 30 feet south of W. 3rd Street. As the detective arrived at his vehicle’s location, he observed what appeared to be a street robbery in progress on the southwest corner of the intersection of 3rd & Broom Streets. The robbery suspect was apparently holding two victims at gunpoint when the detective announced that he was a police officer and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. The preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect began firing his weapon at which time the officer returned fire. The suspect was struck at least once in the head and the officer was uninjured. During the exchange of gunfire, one of the robbery victims, a 38 year old Wilmington man, was also shot in the head. Both were transported to the Christiana Hospital where the robbery victim was pronounced dead and the robbery suspect is currently in critical condition.
Detectives and evidence units are actively conducting interviews and gathering evidence on the scene at this time. The suspect’s weapon was recovered.
The officer, a 23 year veteran, has been placed on administrative leave per departmental policy until the completion of the investigation by detectives, the Office of Professional Standards, the City Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office.
The suspect’s identity will be released once criminal charges are formalized.
The robbery victim’s identity will be released after his family members have been notified.
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