Jon Offredo

The News Journal

DOVER - Authorities dropped charges Tuesday against a 32-year-old man accused in connection with the second of two shooting deaths in Dover on Sunday.

Police say Shamarr Willingham acted in self-defense when he fatally wounded Yusif Lamb, of Montclair, New Jersey, about 4 p.m. on South Kirkwood Street. Lamb was shot once in the chest. His death was the third homicide in Dover this year.

The warrant obtained for Willingham's arrest was canceled after police and the state Attorney General's Office reviewed claims made by Willingham, said Dover police spokesman Cpl. Mark Hoffman.

"He came in yesterday and explained his side of the story and brought in evidence and witnesses," Hoffman said Tuesday. "He was more than cooperative with police and the Attorney General's Office."

Investigators learned that the two men argued about a woman Lamb had a relationship with and Willingham is now dating. The dispute led to Lamb making physically threatening statements in person and on social media, leading up to Sunday's shooting, police said.

On Sunday, Lamb was driven to South Kirkwood Street, where he and a group of people confronted Willingham in front of his home. The two men exchanged words, then Lamb pointed a handgun at Willingham, police said.

Fearing for his life, Willingham fired a handgun legally registered to him, striking Lamb once in the chest, police said. He then fled along Kirkwood Street as the others continued to fire at him. The crime scene is on the same street as a basketball court and a playground.

Police did not receive reports of anyone else injured in the shooting or damage in the area, Hoffman said.

Police said they found Lamb lying on the ground with a handgun next to him. He later was pronounced dead at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital.

"The department stresses that this investigation is still ongoing," police said. "Police are now seeking the suspects and vehicles that accompanied Lamb to the confrontation and are working numerous leads at this time."

The first homicide Sunday in Dover happened about 1:30 a.m., when 24-year-old Tyson Henry, of New Castle, was shot to death as a house party was ending. A 25-year-old woman from Dover also was shot but is expected to survive, police said.

City officials and police have scheduled a 1:30 p.m. press conference at City Hall on Wednesday to discuss the incidents.

Anyone with information on the shootings is asked to contact police at (302) 736-7111.

Tips also may be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers, which offers rewards, at (800) TIP-3333 or www.tipsubmit.com.

Contact Jon Offredo at (302) 678-4271 or joffredo@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonoffredo