A Delaware State Police investigation into a deadly shooting in Seaford has led to one arrest and an active search for a second suspect.
Police identified the victim as 17-year-old Jacob Rinier Jr. of Laurel. The shooting occurred on May 21 at approximately 8:45 p.m. near the Concord Pond boat ramp on German Road in Seaford.
According to investigators, troopers responded to the 24000 block of German Road for a reported crash and found Rinier suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside a vehicle. Troopers began lifesaving efforts before he was transported to an area hospital, where he died. A juvenile male passenger who was also inside the vehicle was taken to a hospital, evaluated, and later released.
Detectives with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit determined Rinier had allegedly arranged to meet 19-year-old Darrin West and 19-year-old Omar Vidro-Pacheco, both of Seaford, at the Concord Pond boat ramp for a drug transaction. During the encounter, investigators allege West pulled a handgun, pointed it into the vehicle, and shot Rinier as he attempted to drive away. Police said Rinier lost consciousness while traveling on German Road, causing the crash.
Troopers responding to the scene located a Hyundai Sonata registered to Vidro-Pacheco in the Concord Pond boat ramp parking lot. Investigators made contact with Vidro-Pacheco nearby and took him into custody without incident.
Vidro-Pacheco was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and first-degree conspiracy. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on $1,126,000 cash bail.
Detectives have also obtained a warrant for West’s arrest on the same charges. Authorities said he remains wanted.
Anyone with information on West’s whereabouts is asked to contact Delaware State Police. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
