Delaware State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Bridgeville last night.
Officials said on October 4, 2023, at approximately 10:50 p.m., the Bridgeville Police Department responded to Canterbury Apartments for a report of a home invasion where a black male forced his way into the house and displayed a firearm to two residents. The suspect fled the scene prior to the arrival of the Bridgeville Police Department.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., the Emergency Operations Center received a phone call from a Perdue AgriBusiness- Bridgeville Grain Elevator and Feed Mill employee. The caller advised that a co-worker, later determined to be the same suspect from the home invasion, showed up at the business and stated that this was his last day. He displayed a firearm and told his colleague to call the police prior to fleeing the scene.
Troop 5 and officers from the Bridgeville Police Department responded to the area of Newton and Adams Road, where they located the suspect walking in a field. He was given commands to stop, and the suspect fired his weapon twice. A trooper returned fire. A short time later, the suspect was found dead in the middle of Newton Road with a gunshot wound to the head. He had a firearm, and one shell casing from his gun was beside his body. At this time, it is unknown whether the suspect’s injuries were self-inflicted or resulted from the gunfire exchange.
First State Update has been told that first-arriving officers believed that the wound was self-inflicted.
First State Update knows the 23-year-old Bridgeville man’s name, however, we are withholding his name until police officially release it.
Officials said per Delaware State Police standard operating procedures, the involved trooper will be put on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted regarding the use of force.