The Dover Police Department has been actively investigating the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Walter Pereira, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, November 24, 2022.
The incident was reported around 3:42 a.m. at a residence in the unit block of Forest Creek Drive. Upon arrival, officers found Pereira on the ground with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and paramedics, Pereira succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a hospital.
During the initial stages of the investigation, a 29-year-old man was apprehended while leaving the scene. Further investigation revealed that he resided at the same address as Pereira. The police described the suspects involved as two black males, though no additional details were provided at the time.
Subsequent to the arrest, a search warrant executed at the residence uncovered an array of firearms, including an AK47 rifle, AR-15 rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun, and several handguns of various makes and calibers. In addition, a significant quantity of drugs, including marijuana, oxycodone pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, and a sum of $7,186 were found alongside drug paraphernalia.
On December 7, 2022, Dover Police arrested a 17-year-old Dover resident in connection with Pereira’s homicide. He was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and related offenses, and was held on $150,000 cash bail.
The investigation continued, leading to the identification of another suspect, Khalil Peden, aged 23, from Bear. On November 6, 2023, Peden was indicted by a Grand Jury for his involvement in the case. Subsequently, on November 29, 2023, he was apprehended in Wilmington by the U.S. Marshal’s Service First State Fugitive Task Force. Peden faces charges including first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and first-degree conspiracy. He is currently held on $1,000,000 cash bail.