BEAR, Delaware -- Delaware State Police have identified the trooper shot Wednesday afternoon as Cpl/1 Stephen J. Ballard. The 32-year-old Ballard was assigned to Troop 2, Glasgow, and had been on the force for 8.5 years.
Police at the scene of a Middletown home continue to wait out the suspect in Ballard’s death.
The Odessa Fire Company has opened its facility to temporarily house the evacuated residents of Brick Mill Farms Development while allied police agencies continue to negotiate with an armed man who has barricaded himself in a home in that development.
Gov. John Carney has ordered both the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in Ballard’s memory.
Carney issued the following statement upon learning of Ballard’s death:
“One of our sworn troopers has lost his life performing a duty on behalf of the people of Delaware.
“My heart is with Cpl. Ballard’s family and the officers who have served beside him. Delaware’s law enforcement officers go to work every day knowing they put their lives on the line to protect ours. We are incredibly indebted to their bravery and service.”
Flags are to remain at half-staff until further notice.
UPDATE at 8:35 p.m.
State police are reporting their Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit used a breeching charge on the front door of the home in which a shooting suspect has barricaded himself since early afternoon. As of 8:35 p.m. police have not entered the home. The suspect remains inside and is armed with an unknown type firearm.
UPDATE at 4:55 p.m.
The Delaware state trooper shot earlier today near Glasgow has died.
State Police Superintendent Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. announced the trooper’s death at a press conference at Christiana Hospital.
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart, that we announce the death of a Delaware state trooper,” said McQueen. “The name of the trooper is being withheld at this time, pending notification from next of kin.”
McQueen detailed the events leading up to the officer’s death, stating that the trooper observed a suspicious looking vehicle at a little after noon in the parking lot of the Wawa convenience store near Glasgow.
“The trooper made contact with the occupant, and shortly thereafter, a struggle ensued,” McQueen said. “It was at this time that one of the two suspects exited the vehicle and proceeded to to fire several rounds, striking the trooper.”
McQueen said other troopers quickly arrived and took one suspect into custody. However, the second suspect had fled the scene on foot prior to the troopers’ arrival.
“This is a sad day for our state, and for the Delaware State Police family,” said McQueen. “We ask that you keep the trooper’s family, and the members of the Delaware State Police family, in your thoughts and prayers.”
Sgt. Richard Bratz took over at the conclusion of McQueen’s speech, to inform the press that a dignified escort would take the trooper to the Division of Forensic Science in Wilmington.
REPORT at 4:30 p.m.
The male suspect in the shooting of a Delaware state trooper earlier today is barricaded inside his residence in Middletown.
Delaware State Police remain on the scene on St. Michaels Drive in the Brick Mill Farms development in Middletown, said State Police Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said.
The suspect fired shots at police from the home.
Earlier today at about noon, a state trooper was shot in the parking lot of a Wawa on Pulaski Highway (Route 40) near Glasgow.
Multiple special operations response teams and conflict management teams from several police agencies are attempting to talk to the suspect and persuade him to surrender, Fournier said.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Multiple police agencies are on the scene of a shots-fired report in the 500 block of St. Michaels Drive in the Brick Mill Farm Development in Middletown.
A male suspect has refused orders to surrender and continues to fire rounds at police officers, said State Police Sgt. Richard Bratz.
This investigation is related to the incident in which a trooper was shot outside a Glasgow area convenience store earlier today, said Bratz.
Residents in the area are advised to stay inside their homes and lock their doors until notified otherwise.
Brick Mill Road is closed between Marl Pit Road and Middletown Odessa Road (Route 299). Commuters are advised to seek alternate routes of travel.
Copyright 2017 Middletown Transcript, Del.
Tribune News Service
