Newark Man Charged With Thursday’s Fatal Shooting In Wilmington

Wilmington Police have charged a 29-year-old Newark man who was arrested moments after a fatal shooting incident that took place yesterday.

On December 10 at approximately 1:20 p.m., a police officer on proactive patrol heard gunshots in the 300 block of East 23rd Street. As the officer approached the area, he observed 29-year-old Dashan Perrigan of Newark fleeing from the scene with a firearm in his hand, according to police. Perrigan attempted to discard the firearm, but the officer was able to take him into custody and recover the handgun. Additional responding officers located a 28-year-old male gunshot victim, who was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as Michael Reams.

The case was assigned to Detective Brianna Rodrigues of the Criminal Investigations Division, and the continuing investigation led to Perrigan being charged with the following offenses:
Murder (First Degree)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
Receiving a Stolen Firearm
Resisting Arrest
Perrigan was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $1,084,000 cash-only bail.

Chief Robert J. Tracy applauded the efforts that led to the arrest of this suspect just moments after a fatal shooting incident.

“This is a prime example of our officers conducting proactive patrols in their assigned areas, and remaining vigilant,” said Chief Tracy. “Thanks to the diligence of this officer, and his quick reaction to an incredibly dangerous and volatile situation, we were able to arrest and charge a man in connection with a murder, and recover the stolen firearm that was used.”