Delaware State Trooper released from hospital following shooting

MAGNOLIA, Del. (WPVI) -- Authorities say the Delaware State Trooper who was wounded in an exchange of gunfire on Wednesday has been released from the hospital and is now comfortably resting at home.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Dennis Hicks, was killed while the state trooper, 26-year-old Corporal Lloyd McCann, was wounded.

It all began around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday when police say Hicks choked his girlfriend in Magnolia, Kent County and then took off in his car.

Police were called to the scene and obtained a description of the man and the vehicle.

Around 7:00 a.m., Corporal McCann spotted the car. After a brief chase, the suspect stopped at West Birdie and Bay Hill Lanes.

"Upon stopping that vehicle, the suspect exited the vehicle, and immediately exchanged gunfire with the trooper," Sgt. Paul Shavick said.

Shavick said the trooper returned fire, striking Hicks. Corporal McCann, a 4-year veteran assigned to Troop 3, was hit twice - once in the hand and once in the face.

Neighbors say they were awakened by the gunfire.

"My brother came in the room and said he heard a couple gunshots," neighbor Kenny Gordon told Action News.

"I heard popping noises, we were supposed to have builders come in and fix our floors, I thought they were here with a nail gun," neighbor Kimberly Jara said.

Corporal McCann was taken by state police to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital and then flown to Christiana Hospital in serious but stable condition.

Hicks was taken to Kent General where he was pronounced dead. His girlfriend is expected to be okay.

"You never know when a bad is coming or when an instance is going to occur, you hope their training kicks in and that seems what happened in this case. The trooper responded to an incident and is able to go home at the end of the day. That's our goal," Col. Nathaniel McQueen said.

Neighbors say this is usually a quiet community.

"It's crazy to look out your front window and see a bunch of cop cars and a guy laying in the street and gunshots," neighbor Patrick Scannelli said.

Police say they found a semi-automatic handgun at the scene, one that was allegedly stolen during a home burglary in June 2013.

Corporal McCann has been placed on administrative leave, which is divisional policy, as the investigation continues.