New Castle – The Delaware State Police continue to investigate a shooting that occurred earlier today, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the preliminary investigation has determined that on Monday, July 30, 2018, at approximately 2:10 p.m., a 2014 Saint Francis Life Paratransit Bus, operated by a 28-year-old male of Wilmington, was traveling north on SR 1 from (SR 40) Pulaski Highway. The driver of the bus observed another vehicle, a 2005 Dodge Durango, pull alongside his bus on the right and point what appeared to be a cell phone.
The bus driver continued to travel northbound and observed the driver again pull onto the left side of the bus pointing his cell phone. The bus driver continued onto I-95 north and subsequently signals to the other driver to pull over in the area of exit 5 for SR 141.
Both drivers exited their vehicles and an altercation occurs between the drivers. During the altercation, pepper spray was displayed by the driver of the Durango in the direction of the bus driver. It was at this time the driver of the bus discharged a handgun in the direction of the driver of the Durango striking him in the upper torso, according to Bratz.
After the shooting, the driver assisted with first-aid, rendered his gun safe and called 9-1-1. He remained at the scene and made contact with responding troopers. The 28-year-old driver of Wilmington was taken into custody and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 2. The driver of the bus was not injured and no passengers were on the bus.
The 53-year-old driver of the Dodge Durango and only occupant was removed from the scene and transported by EMS to a local area hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.
This is currently an Assault 1st degree investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available, said Bratz.
Update
New Castle – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating a shooting that occurred this afternoon, according to police.
Officials said the preliminary investigation has determined that on Monday, July 30, 2018, at approximately 2:10 p.m., troopers responded to I-95 northbound in the area of Airport Road for an altercation between two male subjects. One male subject sustained a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The other male subject involved was taken into police custody without incident.
The male subject that was shot was removed from the scene and transported by EMS to a local area hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.
A Bear man, Desmond Chisholm, who stopped to see if he could help at a shooting scene told First State Update that the shooter told him “The guy who was the shooter, told me that he shot him in self-defense…”. Chisholm added that man told him “he tried to Mace him and he shot him in self-defense.”, referring to the man who was shot.
Initially, it was believed that a patient on the bus may have been involved in the incident. Officials with St. Francis Healthcare say that no patients were involved.
Breaking Report
New Castle – Delaware State Police and crews from the Christiana Fire Company have responded to I-95 northbound at the Airport Road off-ramp for reports of a person shot.
Upon arrival, crews found one male suffering from a gunshot wound. The patient was transported to the Christiana Hospital’s trauma center.
The initial call came out as a motor vehicle accident between a bus and another vehicle. It’s not immediately clear if there was an accident.
Something happened on the side of the road involving mace and gunshots, according to a witness at the scene.
Initially, police released a statement advising that there was police activity in the area of I95 northbound and Airport Road, New Castle. As a result, the roadway will be shut-down for a period of time.
The road has since reopened.
