Brittany Horn

The News Journal

Police have taken a man into custody suspected of shooting and killing a woman with a hunting rifle inside a home in the Saddlebrook community, according to a source close to the investigation.

Swarms of New Castle County police vehicles were called at 1:45 p.m. to the 100 block of Freedom Trail on Tuesday after the man called police and said he had shot his girlfriend and was considering shooting himself, according to the source.

The man was taken away from the scene in the back of a marked patrol car to police headquarters for further questioning and officers quickly cleared the scene after that. When police went into the home, they found a woman, who was then pronounced dead.

Cpl. Tom Jackson said numerous officers assigned to the crisis intervention team worked to initiate contact with the man who reported that he shot someone inside the home. Officers took him into custody at about 3:54 p.m. after nearly two hours of negotiating.



Police were also speaking with a woman who they brought inside what officers designated as a crime scene.

One man, whose mother lives on the block, said he didn't hear anything but came outside when he saw police cars and crime scene tape. Another police officer directed children to move from the neighborhood playground and go back inside.

Many residents acknowledged that whatever happened must have been quiet, as most people were not alerted to the crime scene until yellow tape went up and officers were called.

Jackson said the investigation is still in its early stages and more information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information should contact police at (302) 573-2800 or nccpd.com. Tips may also be provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, on Facebook at New Castle County Police Department or through the New Castle County Police Smartphone Application.

Tipsters who call Delaware Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000. Rewards are offered for crimes of violence such as these.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.