Authorities in Delaware are looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting by Delaware State Police troopers of a man who was suspected of killing a woman during a home invasion at his ex-spouse’s residence before setting the house on fire.
Police were alerted around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday about an armed man at a home in Stanton. Shortly after, emergency responders were called to a house fire at the same location on Limestone Road.
Inside the home, emergency medical service workers discovered a 22-year-old woman from Wilmington who had been fatally shot.
The suspect, a 57-year-old man from Milford, allegedly forced his way into the home and fired multiple shots at the female victim and a 20-year-old man from Wilmington. The young man managed to escape unharmed and sought help at a nearby gas station where he called 911. Fortunately, the homeowner was not present during the incident.
Following the shooting, the suspect ignited a fire at the residence before fleeing in a vehicle. Authorities later located him near the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. After negotiating with the man for several hours as he had climbed onto the lower level of an electrical tower, the standoff escalated when the man shot at the troopers, resulting in three officers firing back and the suspect being pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the deceased individual is being kept confidential until family members are informed.
The troopers directly involved in the altercation have been placed on administrative leave, in accordance with standard department protocol, while a use-of-force investigation is conducted.