New Castle County Police charged a New Castle woman in connection with the shooting death of a Delaware State University student on his way to work.



Police said in a statement Friday that 46-year-old Cheryl Jennings has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Malcolm Evans. Police said there is no known association between Evans and Jennings.



"Malcolm Evans was truly an innocent victim, a young man who lived with his parents and brother, went to college, worked a job and dreamed of becoming a doctor," said County Executive Thomas P. Gordon. "His death is a loss to all of us and we continue to share his family’s grief."

Evans was driving to his part-time job at FedEx early on July 9 when he was shot near the entrance of the Rutledge community in Bear. Police said the bullet struck Evans in the upper body and he lost control of his vehicle and crashed.

Delaware State Police

Jennings is also charged with firearm possession during commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person prohibited due to past felony conviction.

The case remained open.



"This arrest by no means marks the end of our involvement or the end of this investigation," Colonel E. M. Setting, chief of police said. "It does, however, provide some much needed closure to the family and community. In a case like this, where there is no known association between the victim and defendant, the extraordinary efforts of our detectives as well as help from the public must be recognized and commended."