Police in Wilmington, Delaware, are searching for a third suspect involved in the near-fatal shooting of a city police officer. Two other young men are in custody, after a Sunday afternoon traffic stop turned violent.
Thirty-four-year-old Justin Wilkers nearly gave his life doing his job. The three-year police veteran now has a bullet lodged in the back of his skull, after a gunman shot him in the face. Vernon Ross lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, in Wilmington's Southbridge neighborhood. Ross told Fox 29 he hear, "Pop pop pop, four real quick shots, it was four fast shots. I jumped straight up."
The shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Officer Wilkers and his partner spotted a suspicious vehicle at C and South Buttonwood Streets. When they tried to pull the driver over a couple of blocks away, the car took off. The chase ended on the 1200 block of Peach Street, when the three suspects in the car got out and ran. "As one of the suspects exited the vehicle, he drew a handgun and fired at Officer Wilkers, who was attempting to exit the police vehicle," Cpl. Mark Ivey, a spokesman for the Wilmington Police Department, explained.
Police arrested two of the suspects shortly after the shooting: the driver, 20-year-old Jared Wiggins, and his passenger, 21-year-old Ronald Boyce. But they're still searching for the other passenger. Police won't say which of the three shot Wilkers.
This is the first time in 20 years a Wilmington police officer has been shot in the line of duty, and clearly it has rattled the department. "The past 24 hours have been difficult and extremely painful," Cpl. Ivey said. His boss, Police Chief Christine Dunning, made clear her disgust. "This assault on our police officer Justin Wilkers is an affront, an insult and a total sign of disrespect of authority."
Wilkers is married with a daughter and a son, both under the age of five. He's expected to undergo surgery and is facing a long road to recovery. "We are very fortunate that we still have our brother officer with us today," Chief Dunning said. "However, Justin Wilkers' condition, even thought it's been stabilized, he still has many challenges to face."
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
A Philadelphia jury is scheduled to start a fourth full day of deliberations in the case of a Philadelphia abortion provider facing multiple counts of murder.
The jury in the death-penalty trial of a Philadelphia abortion provider has gone home without a verdict after another day of deliberations.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:28:06 GMT
Rain moved in Saturday afternoon and the chance for it will stick around through the seven day forecast.
It becomes very unsettled across our area with clounds and showers again Sunday. The best chance for rain is in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms are possible towards our south.
Sunday is cool but we do warm up well into the 80s by Tuesday. With the warm weather comes a better chance for thunderstorms.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:44:01 GMT
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
A couple of Good Samaritans helped rescue a 3-year-old boy's lifeless body from an Allentown creek. Their quick thinking and help from police helped bring the boy back to life.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:38:13 GMT
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
A woman who lived with a Delaware pediatrician accused of waterboarding her 11-year-old daughter has agreed to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against him.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:23 GMT
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries.
When SEPTA trains roll into stations in Radnor Township, Main Line passengers aren't the only ones getting on and off. Police say criminals are now using the rails to pull off home burglaries here and make their getaway.
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Police tape surrounds the crime scene Saturday where a Wilmington police officer was shot.
