Woman found shot to death after standoff ends

A nearly two-hour standoff at the Saddlebrook town houses ended shortly before 4 p.m. (Photo: New Castle County police)
A nearly two-hour standoff at the Saddlebrook town houses ended shortly before 4 p.m. (Photo: New Castle County police)

NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE (4/26/2016) A woman was found shot to death in the Saddlebrook community west of New Castle this afternoon following a nearly two-hour standoff with a man now in police custody, authorities said.

At 1:42 p.m., a man called 911 and said he had shot someone in a home in the 100 block of Freedom Trail, said Cpl. Tom Jackson of New Castle County police.

The caller advised he was still armed, Jackson said.

Police responded and surrounded the home, attempting to get the man to surrender.

The man refused but continued talking with officers on the phone, and finally came out and surrendered to the waiting SWAT team just before 4 p.m. He was taken to county police headquarters for questioning.

Officers then searched the home and found the woman’s body, Jackson said, “with a gunshot wound to the upper extremity.”

Detectives are continuing to investigate at the scene and more information will be released later, Jackson said.

He asked anyone with information to contact police at 302-573-2800.

Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards up to $10,000, at 800-847-3333 or www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.