FREDERICA — A fleeing 25-year-old Maryland man died in a trooper-involved shooting late Monday night north of Frederica, authorities said.
The Delaware State Police said the Greensboro man was shot in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck after waving a gun in the direction of troopers and deputies and ignoring several verbal commands to drop the weapon.
The incident occurred on the southbound shoulder of Del. 1 south of Barrett’s Chapel Road after Caroline County Sheriff’s office deputies entered Delaware pursuing a red 1994 Ford pickup truck at approximately 11:51 p.m., according to preliminary investigation.
Police said the vehicle chase began after deputies learned the truck was stolen by a man wanted for several burglaries in Maryland and Delaware.
Police said the truck was driven recklessly through western Kent County, forcing vehicles off the roadway. Troopers joined the pursuit in the Felton area, which continued east on Del. 12 as the suspect was seen holding a gun in his left hand, according to authorities.
Police said the suspect drove through Frederica eastbound in the westbound lane before turning north onto Frederica Road. The vehicle then drove northbound in the southbound lane of Del. 1 into oncoming traffic.
A felony traffic stop ensued, police said, as the suspect was seen holding a handgun. After commands to drop the weapon were ignored, police said, a trooper discharged his division- issued patrol rifle, striking the suspect.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by responding EMS, and his body was later turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science Office to determine the cause and manner of death, police said. The name of the suspect is being withheld at this point pending the notification of his next of kin.
The 27-year-old trooper involved in the incident has been employed by the Delaware State Police for four years and is assigned to Troop 3 patrol in Camden. He has been placed on administrative leave as per divisional policy pending the outcome of the investigation.
The trooper involved in the incident was not injured.
Police said the suspect was wanted out of Kent County (Del.) Superior Court for third-
degree burglary, violation of probation and disregarding a police officer signal while driving suspended or revoked, reckless driving and speeding.
Detectives from the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene for investigation. Police said further details would be released when available.