Home invasion suspect shot by trooper

300 block Salem Church Road (Photo: Google maps)
300 block Salem Church Road (Photo: Google maps)

BEAR, DELAWARE (12/18/2015) A home invasion suspect was shot by a trooper late Thursday night, Delaware State Police said.

The incident happened about 10:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Salem Church Road.

The trooper, responding to a robbery report, arrived to find broken glass in a side door and “was immediately confronted by a male suspect who was inside of the home and armed with a handgun,” according to a statement released by police.

“The trooper gave verbal commands for the suspect to drop the weapon, however, he did not comply with the commands. The trooper then fired his divisionally issued weapon striking the suspect in the lower torso,” according to the statement.

A second suspect was then arrested inside the home without incident.

The trooper was not injured, nor were any of the five occupants of the home.

Police rendered first aid to the wounded suspect and he was then taken by ambulance to Christiana Hosopital in Stanton in serious but stable condition, according to the statement.

Police said there was a third suspect who fled in an unknown vehicle.

Police said the trooper who shot the suspect is a 3½-year veteran of the force and is assigned to Troop 2 in Glasgow. He was placed on leave pending outcome of the investigation, being conducted by homicide detectives.

The names and ages of the suspects were not released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Weaver at 302-741-2728.

Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at 800-847-3333 or www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.