Crime
Delaware State Trooper killed after shooting at DMV in Wilmington, Suspect deceased
Authorities have confirmed that a Delaware State Trooper and a suspect were killed following a shooting at a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility in Wilmington on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Delaware State Police, the incident occurred at the DMV located on Hessler Boulevard in the Minquadale area of New Castle County.
Initial reports described an active shooter situation, prompting a large and immediate response from local, state, and county law enforcement agencies, as well as fire and emergency medical personnel.
Governor Matt Meyer confirmed in a public update that law enforcement officers โacted swiftly to secure the sceneโ and stated that the suspect was confirmed deceased.
Police later verified that a Delaware State Trooper was also killed in the line of duty during the incident.
Emergency radio traffic indicated that shortly after 2:00 p.m., command personnel reported two individuals down, with EMS advising that CPR was in progress on two patients, one of whom was believed to be the shooter.
A later update clarified that there were two primary patients involved.
Additional non-trauma medical calls were also reported at the scene, including one individual who had fallen and another experiencing breathing difficulties.
The Delaware Department of Justice released a statement through spokesperson Mat Marshall, noting that the Attorney General is in direct communication with Delaware State Police and Governor Meyer.
Senior prosecutors were dispatched to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The statement emphasized that authorities would defer to State Police for the release of investigative details and requested patience from the media and public as law enforcement continues its response.
The Department of Justice also expressed its support for the State Police and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, stating that prayers are with the law enforcement community.
As a result of the incident, the Wilmington DMV location on Hessler Boulevard has been closed until further notice.
All DMV services at that site have been suspended, and residents are being directed to the Delaware City DMV for motor vehicle services.
Hessler Boulevard remains closed, and portions of Route 13 south of Interstate 495 were temporarily shut down as police activity continued. Authorities advised drivers and residents to avoid the area.
Officials have not yet released the identities of those involved or detailed information regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have stated that additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bardโs legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard โwas completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.โ
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneysโ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the sonโs dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were โill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.โ
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bardโs sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the sonโs belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and โviolently and viciously attackedโ Bardโs son and family members.
According to the release, Bardโs son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
โIn the chaos,โ the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bardโs son and sought assistance from criminal groupsโclaims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bardโs son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.