Suspect Arrested After Opening Fire on Delaware Troopers With Airsoft Gun

Feb. 18, 2020
As both troopers exited their patrol vehicles and identified themselves, the suspect turned and fired a round at them; able to recognize that the firearm was an Airsoft gun, the troopers took action and quickly communicated that information to responding.

WILMINGTON, Delaware -- Delaware State Police arrested a man who opened fire on troopers with an Airsoft gun over the weekend.

Troopers were dispatched to the area of the Bar XIII, located at 1706 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington around 11:53 p.m. on Saturday for a disorderly subject armed with a firearm, according to a news release.

It was reported the suspect approached a victim displaying the weapon and taunting him. Upon arrival, troopers observed the suspect carrying a black handgun while walking along Philadelphia Pike.  As both troopers exited their patrol vehicles and identified themselves, the suspect turned and fired a round at them; able to recognize that the firearm was an Airsoft gun, the troopers took action and quickly communicated that information to responding troopers.

A second round was fired in the responding trooper’s direction. Attempts to deploy tasers on the suspect were ineffective leading to a struggle with troopers and the suspect. The suspect broke free and fled on foot. After a foot chase, contact was made with the suspect and another struggle occurred during which a K-9 was deployed. The suspect turned and fired one round at the K-9, striking him.

During the course of the altercation, the suspect struck a trooper in the back of his head with the Airsoft gun and struck another trooper with the firearm. One Trooper sustained a minor laceration to the back of his head and the other trooper sustained a contusion to his forehead.  In addition, the suspect attempted to remove both of the trooper’s firearms from their holsters.

Extra officers arrived on the scene and the suspect was taken into custody. Troopers were treated at the scene for the laceration and contusion. The suspect was transported to the Wilmington ER where he was later committed to C.A.P.E.S. (Crisis Assessment and Psychiatric Emergency Services).

The suspect identified as Jason W. Tatom, 31 of Wilmington, was suspected of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 

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