The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is investigating a shooting that occurred yesterday afternoon in Felton that left one man dead.
On March 16, 2023, at approximately 4:17 p.m., troopers responded to a shooting that occurred in the 200 block of Reeves Crossing Road in Felton. Upon their arrival, troopers found a 36-year-old man in the roadway who had been shot in his upper body. EMS personnel attempted to treat the victim but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives from the Homicide Unit assumed the investigation and learned that the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Steven M. Smith of Centreville, Maryland, had an ongoing dispute with the victim. police said Smith drove to Reeves Crossing Road to confront the man, and when he arrived he began shooting at him with a rifle according to investigators. After the shooting Smith fled to his residence in Centreville.
Smith was later taken into custody without incident at his home in Maryland by the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office. Smith is currently incarcerated in Maryland and will be extradited to Delaware to face charges of Murder First Degree and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony.
The shooting shocked the community and caused the Lake Forest School District to cancel all after-school activities. The district issued the following statement.
“Lake Forest Schools: Good afternoon Spartan families! This is your Superintendent Dr. Lucas. I am reaching out to let you know that due to a serious incident which occurred off campus, the Delaware State Police have asked us to cease all outdoor activities for today. Students have not been in any danger, are safe, and have been brought into the high school out of an abundance of caution. Students are free to go home and all afternoon activities are now cancelled. The meeting scheduled for the European field trip is also cancelled.”
Troopers said identification of the victim is pending notification to his family and relatives.