Dover Police Investigate Shooting at American Legion 10-20-14

Incident #: 50-14-28269  Date/Time:  October 19, 2014, 12:58AM

Location: American Legion, 835 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901

Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a late night shooting that took place at the American Legion on Bay Road.  On Sunday, October 19th at approximately 12:58AM, officers responded to the American Legion for a report of several shots fired.  Upon arrival, officers observed several spent 9mm shell casings on  the north-east side of the parking lot, near a picnic area, as well as 9mm and .380 shell casings on the north-west side, indicating that gunfire was exchanged between at least two parties.  During the exchange of gunfire, a 26-year-old male was shot in the left hip.  The victim is currently listed in serious but stable condition.  While officers were attempting to clear the parking lot of remaining persons, an officer was standing next to an occupied vehicle when a gunshot was fired from within the vehicle.  The officer, who was unharmed, immediately took the occupants of the vehicle into custody with aid from other Dover officers.  Officers then located a black Jennings 9mm handgun in the rear of the vehicle.  Further investigation revealed that Darnell Waples (30) was in possession of the gun and fired it accidentally as he was trying to conceal it in the vehicle.  This incident is still under investigation with further charges pending the outcome of ballistics analysis.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 or  call the Delaware Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-Tip-3333 or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.

Officer releasing this information:
Cpl. Mark Hoffman
Public Information Officer
302-736-7130