What we know about the Delaware carjacking, police chase that left at least one man dead
What started as a report of a "suspicious person with a gun" led to two carjackings, a lengthy police chase, repeated gunshots and, ultimately, fatal injuries in New Castle County Friday morning, according to Delaware State Police.
The suspect in the incident, whom police identified on Monday as 39-year-old Jonathan Wiseman, died, police said. At least one other person sustained injuries in the course of the car chase.
Twice on Friday, police addressed the media and the public to explain what happened, what led to the incident and who was affected. Here's what we know.
What started this incident?
State police received a report at about 7:30 a.m. Friday for a "suspicious person with a gun" in the 100 block of Ayre Street in the Newport area.
WITNESSES SPEAK:Suspect dead after leading Delaware police on lengthy chase across New Castle County, I-95
When arriving troopers found Wiseman, Delaware State Police Senior Cpl. Jason Hatchell said he fled on foot and gunshots were fired. While no one was injured, Hatchell said a Vocational Technical High School bus was shot.
Wiseman then ran onto Route 141 and Route 4, where he attempted to carjack a vehicle but was unsuccessful. His second attempt, however, was and he fled the area in the stolen vehicle.
Where did the carjackings occur?
The first carjacking occurred in Newport.
The second occurred later, when Wiseman ditched his car in a cul-de-sac by Old Cooch's Bridge Road behind Newark's Red Roof Inn and headed through the woods to I-95 southbound. It was there that police said he attempted to carjack at least two other vehicles unsuccessfully − in one instance, a shot was fired, hitting the inside of the vehicle, but no one was injured.
Finally, on his third attempt, he got another vehicle that allowed him to head further down the interstate. Hatchell did not say where exactly on the interstate this incident took place.
Where did the shooting happen?
According to police, gunfire broke out numerous times throughout this incident, the first occurring in Newport.
Police said shots were later fired in the cul-de-sac near a warehouse, and again, when Wiseman was able to carjack his second vehicle successfully on the interstate.
Additional shots were fired when Wiseman attempted to flee down I-95 southbound just south of Route 896, police said.
How did police end the chase?
A state police detective said officers used a technique to block the highway and force Wiseman to stop his vehicle near Route 896. That's where police again confronted him.
How was the suspect killed?
Police said Wiseman was fatally shot and was pronounced dead on the interstate from "injuries sustained" during the incident.
Hatchell said despite police offering immediate aid, it was "apparent" Wiseman would not survive his injuries.
Have police identified the suspect?
Yes. Police on Monday released Wiseman's name.
Who shot the school bus?
It's immediately unclear whose gunfire hit the school bus in Newport Friday morning. Police said they needed to run further ballistic testing to determine this.
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What should you do if you witnessed this happen?
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Sgt. Yeich with the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit at (302) 741-2703.
“We also like to just thank the public for their patience this morning,” Hatchell said. “We know the roadways were very gridlocked.”
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware shooting: What we know about carjacking, fatal police chase
