Two Homicides In The Bear-Area On New Years Eve

Last night (Dec 31), at approximately 11:12 p.m., patrol officers from the New Castle County Division of Police were dispatched to the area of the intersection of Taylor Drive and Emerson Place, near the Village of Canterbury Apartments for reports of a traffic accident.

Several patrol units arrived at the scene very quickly and located 26-year-old Jahlil Patton laying outside of a vehicle. Patton was found to have suffered from a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Lifesaving efforts were initiated; however, he was later pronounced deceased after being transported to an area hospital.

Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit arrived at the scene and assumed the investigation.

At this time, detectives believe that the shooting occurred inside of the vehicle and Patton was able to drive to this location before succumbing to his wounds.

Earlier in the evening, a man was found inside a parked car in the 700 block of Willings Way, in the community of Ashton Condominiums, just on the other side of Route 1. That man suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died.

Police have not indicated that the two shootings are related.

The New Castle County Division of Police, Criminal Investigation Unit is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to please contact Det Michael McNasby at (302) 395-8110 or [email protected].