The New Castle County Division of Police continues to investigate the incident that occurred in the unit block of Leader Drive in the community of Newark Oaks.
Officials said officers were dispatched to the residence after a 34-year-old male subject called 9-1-1 to report that he had been shot.
The initial investigation revealed the male suspect, a 34-year-old man, arrived home and engaged in a confrontation with a 31-year-old female resident and her guest, the 34-year-old male victim. During the exchange, the male suspect fired a handgun striking both the male and female. The male victim remained inside the home and summoned the police.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers observed the suspect through a window brandishing a handgun. As they approached the home, an exchange of gunfire occurred between an officer, a 1-year veteran of the Division, and the suspect. It is unknown at this time if the suspect was struck during the exchange. The officer was not struck by gunfire.
Additional units responded to the scene which included the Division of Police Crisis Management Group (CMG). The CMG consists of officers from Special Operations and includes the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and the Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team.
Officers from SWAT entered the residence to rescue the victims. Officers located the 34-year-old male victim and extracted him from the residence. He was transported to Christiana Medical Center by Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company and listed in stable condition. The female victim was located and pronounced deceased at the scene by New Castle County Paramedics.
Officers from the Crisis Negotiation Team attempted to contact the armed subject inside the residence and were met with negative results.
SWAT team members later located the male suspect inside the residence with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased.
Breaking Report
On Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 12:43 a.m., an incident unfolded in the unit block of Leader Drive, Newark Oaks, in Newark, prompting a response from the New Castle County Division of Police.
The incident involved a shooting, which resulted in a male victim sustaining at least two gunshot wounds according to sources.
Police said the injured individual was transported to Christiana Medical Center, where he was reported to be in stable condition. FSU has learned that that patient was not transported to the hospital until around 3:00 a.m.
The suspect, who police say was responsible for the shooting, barricaded themselves inside the residence on Leader Drive. The New Castle County SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams were mobilized. Additionally, fire and rescue personnel were summoned to provide support during the standoff.
As the situation developed throughout the morning SWAT teams utilized flash bangs and robots to clear the residence. Initial reports from the scene indicate that around 5:30 a person was reportedly found deceased inside the home. Police have not confirmed those details.
Leader Drive is currently closed between Midland Drive and Brennen Drive, while police investigate the incident.
The response to this incident also included the deployment of a mobile command center, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal robots, a reverse 911 call to alert residents to shelter in place, and tactical teams deployed flash bangs.
The incident was placed under control shortly after 5:30. Police remain on scene.
This is a developing story.