SMYRNA, DELAWARE (5/2/2015) A man armed with a shotgun was shot and killed by a Smyrna police officer at the Sunnyside Apartments early today, police said.
The encounter came as police were investigating a domestic dispute in Building 30 on Malvern Lane, Cpl. Brandon Dunning said.
He said police were first called about 11:23 p.m. concerning the domestic dispute between a boyfriend and girlfriend in Building 30 on Malvern Lane.
The initial call reported that the boyfriend was armed, Dunning said.
Police arrived and the girfriend advised that the boyfriend may have fled. Officers searched but could not find him.
At 12:18 a.m., police received another call saying the man had returned and was trying to force his way inside the apartment, which was occupied by the girlfriend and another man, Dunning said.
He said when officers arrived, they encountered the boyfriend armed with a shotgun in front of Building 30.
“The officers gave verbal commands to the subject who refused to comply at which time an officer of the Smyrna Police Department fired upon the armed subject. Officers then approached the subject and immediately began rendering medical treatment,” Dunning said.
Dunning said the man was taken to the Bayhealth Smyrna Emergency Department, where he was pronounced dead.
His name was not released pending notification of next-of-kin.
The officer who fired is an 11-year veteran of the department assigned to the patrol division, Dunning said. His name was not released but Dunning said he was placed on administrative leave.
The incident is still under investigation by the Smyrna Police Department, which is receiving assistance from Dover police as well as the state Attorney General’s Office.