Reward offered in Wilmington shooting of trooper

PENNY HILL, DELAWARE (11/21/2014) A $10,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to an arrest in the shooting of a Delaware State Police trooper a year ago in Wilmington.

Cpl. Richard Deskis was shot in the arm Nov. 20, 2013, at East 24th and North Market streets.

Lt. Thomas Brackin, president of the state trooper’s association, announced the reward Thursday.

The reward is provided by the Delaware State Troopers Association,  the Association of Retired Delaware State Police, the Law Offices of Kimmel, Carter, Roman, and Peltz, and by Andrew Levinson, president of Schagrin Gas.

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Col. Nathaniel Mcqueen Jr., superintendent of the state police, said, “The responsibility to keep our communities safe is a shared responsibility. We look forward to the cooperation of the community in providing information that would lead to an arrest in this unsolved case.”

The state police homicide unit is continuing to investigate.

Deskis, 44 at the time of the shooting, was wounded while assisting Wilmington police and was interviewing a woman concerning retail thefts that had occurred in state police jurisdiction. The shot came from some distance away and no shooter was identified. Deskis was treated at a hospital and released, later returning to duty.

Tips may be provided anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com, or by using the police mobile crime tip app.