Delaware State Police investigating deadly trooper-involved shooting in New Castle County
NEW CASTLE, Delaware (WPVI) -- Delaware State Police are investigating a deadly trooper-involved shooting in Minquadale, New Castle County.
The shooting happened around 7:22 a.m. Thursday in the 2200 block of Hessler Boulevard behind a Lowe's Home Improvement store.
According to state police, troopers responded to the Lowe's store for a report of a known fugitive shoplifting at the business.
Police say detectives saw the 28-year-old man, whose name has not been released, fleeing the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise.
He ran away when troopers tried to contact him, police say, and he got into a getaway vehicle parked behind the store.
The man struck an unmarked Delaware State Police vehicle while trying to get away.
"While attempting to take the man into custody, he did not comply with multiple commands to stop, and he physically resisted when troopers tried to remove him from the car," a state police statement said.
"Troopers shot the man when he continued to drive in a manner that placed officers in imminent danger," the statement continued.
Police say the troopers performed first aid until the man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two troopers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the hospital and released. The troopers involved will be put on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted, per state police policy.
Video from Chopper 6 showed a white sedan wedged between a truck and a railing. Troopers said the truck is a state car and is related to the police-involved shooting.
Raymond Smithhiser, who was in a nearby parking lot at the time, said he heard the shots.
"I was coming up to charge my phone and I heard cars squealing round the corner there. Next thing I know, I heard gunshots," he said.
The name of the man who was shot will not be released until family notification is made, police say.
