Police say that shortly after 2 a.m., Wilmington Police detectives were investigating a homicide at 218 N. Broom Street.
As that investigation wrapped, a Wilmington Police detective was walking back to his vehicle along N. Broom Street near W. 3rd Street.
Police say he saw what appeared to be a street robbery in progress at 3rd and Broom streets. The robbery suspect was apparently holding 2 victims at gunpoint.
The detective announced he was a police officer and ordered the suspect to drop his weapon. That's when the suspect began firing his weapon and the detective returned fire.
The robbery suspect was hit at least once in the head, and one of the robbery's victims, 38-year-old Darrel Swain of Wilmington, was also shot in the head.
Swan died due to the gunshot. The suspect is in critical condition.
The officer, a 23-year veteran, has been placed on Administrative Leave as is police policy until the completion of the investigation by police, the Office of Professional Standards, City Solicitor's Office and the Attorney General's Office.
The homicide at 218 North Broom Street, which brought Wilmington Police to the neighborhood in the first place, happened late Wednesday night.
52-year-old James Kahil was booked for fatally stabbing a man at a rental property for recovering alcohol and drug addicts.
Police say only an autopsy will reveal who shot Swain, whether it was the robber or the detective who tried to come to his rescue.Swain leaves a wife and four children behind.
