Days after residents contacted FSU asking about shots fired in Delaware City and a home invasion in Middletown’s Dickerson Farm development, New Castle County Police have released some information on the two incidents.
Police said last Monday evening, Oct 11th, patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the boat ramp in Delaware City for the report of gunshots being fired.
When the officers arrived, they learned that a 23-year-old male and a 53-year-old male were removing their boat from the water at the boat ramp, however, the ramp was blocked by a maroon minivan. As one of the victims was attempting to back the trailer down the ramp, he asked the occupant of the minivan to move it out of the way so he could load the boat. The subject moved the minivan, then returned to the boat ramp and began shooting. The victims fled the scene leaving the boat and when they returned with the officers, they found multiple bullet holes in the boat’s hull.
Less than an hour later, additional patrol officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Schooner Lane in the community of Dickerson Farm in Middletown, for reports of a burglary in progress. While en route, officers learned that multiple calls to 911 were made stating that this incident had escalated into a shooting and that the suspect was still at the scene.
When officers arrived at the home they observed a maroon minivan parked in the driveway and took the driver into custody. Police said as they took 35-year-old Brandon Christian into custody they found him to be in possession of a firearm.
The officers then learned that Christian forced entry into the home through a locked door and then confronted the two homeowners, according to police. An argument ensued and he then fired multiple gunshots at the homeowners. One of the bullets struck the female in the hand and the suspect then chased the victims to the second floor. Christian then attempted to flee the residence as he heard homeowners on the phone with 911.
On the way out of the residence, Christian picked up the victims’ dog and critically assaulted it before placing it inside the minivan, according to police. As he was starting the minivan to leave, he was apprehended by the officers.
Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit arrived at the scene and assumed the investigation. The detectives’ investigation revealed that these two incidents were committed by the same suspect, however, were otherwise unrelated.
Christian was transported to police headquarters and charged with two counts of felony Attempted Murder 1st Degree, one count of felony Burglary 1st Degree, two counts of felony Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, two counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, one count of felony Aggravated Menacing, one count of felony Cruelty to Animals, and one count of misdemeanor Criminal Mischief.
He was arraigned by the New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and held in lieu of $402,000 cash-only bail.
Additional charges stemming from the boat ramp incident are forthcoming, police said.
