DOVER, DELAWARE (12/21/2014) A 52-year-old man was killed by officers early Sunday at the Country Club apartments after he called a crisis center voicing a plan to commit “suicide by cop,” Dover police said.
Officers also said they found a booby-trapped chemical device that forced evacuation of neighboring residents.
The incident began at 10:38 p.m. Saturday, when police dispatchers were advised by a crisis center that James Long was having suicidal thoughts.
Police said Long had been involved in previous incidents with the department including one where similar threats were made.
Officers arrived at Long’s apartment at 50 Greenway Square (M Building) at 10:46 p.m.
After failing to gain Long’s cooperation, officers entered his apartment at 12:03 a.m.
“Upon entry, Long displayed what was believed to be a firearm and pointed it at the officers, causing them to fire their department issued firearms, twice striking Long. Officer’s immediately began to render first-aid until Emergency Medical Services arrived a short time later,” said Cpl. Mark Hoffman, a department spokesman.
Long was taken to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police discovered after the shooting that Long’s weapon was a pellet/BB gun that resembled a Colt semi-automatic handgun, Hoffman said.
He said the booby-trapped device found in the apartment was an improvised device designed to mix dangerous chemicals to create a toxic gas.
As a result, nearby residents were evacuated 45 minutes to an hour until the area was declared safe by investigators.
The officers who shot at Long are a corporal who is a 10-year veteran of the force and a patrolman first class who is a six-year veteran.
Hoffman said both were placed on administrative leave with pay pending outcome of an internal investigation and one by the state Attorney General’s Office.