The Dover Police Department recently arrested Tyrone Kersey, a 37-year-old resident of Dover, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on June 11th, 2023 on Sussex Avenue.
Police said Kersey was charged with multiple offenses, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated menacing, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest with force or violence, endangering the welfare of a child, and offensive touching.
According to the investigation conducted by the Dover Police Department, the incident unfolded when officers responded to a call regarding trespassing. Upon arriving at the scene, they encountered Kersey involved in a verbal altercation with a 32-year-old woman. The situation escalated as Kersey pushed the woman to the ground before the arrival of the police officials said Monday.
Upon the officers’ arrival, Kersey brandished a handgun and began shouting at them. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon and comply with their instructions, Kersey refused to cooperate according to police. Kersey fired a single shot into a parked vehicle occupied by the woman and her one-year-old child. He then forcefully removed the woman from the vehicle, all while she was holding the child.
In light of the escalating threat and the safety of those present, the police decided to take action. Faced with the immediate danger posed by Kersey, an officer discharged their firearm, striking him police said. The authorities provided medical assistance to Kersey at the scene prior to his being transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment. Later, he was transferred to the Christiana Health System for further care.
Following his arrest, Kersey was arraigned and remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections on $99,500 cash bail. The Dover Police Department, in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, will continue the investigation into the incident officials said Monday.
The officer involved in the shooting, a 2 ½ year veteran of the Dover Police Department, was placed on administrative leave with pay, in accordance with standard protocol for such incidents.