The Dover Police Department has arrested 22-year-old Rondree Campbell in connection with the Sunday night shooting death of Sylvester Williams. Campbell was identified as the shooter during the investigation by Dover Police Department detectives. He was arrested on Wednesday afternoon (November 4th) after he checked in at the Dover Probation and Parole office. During the investigation, it was learned that Campbell fired a gun multiple times in the area of South New Street on the night of November 1st. Approximately 10 minutes later, he returned and fired multiple shots again, fatally wounding Sylvester Williams and several others striking a home in the Unit Block of South New Street which was occupied by several family members. Campbell later admitted to being the shooter in both of those incidents. Williams, a Middletown resident, was in the area to help a family member move. Detectives believe that he was not the intended target and that Campbell was seeking retaliation after a physical confrontation that occurred prior to the shooting which Williams was not involved in. Campbell was committed to JTVCC after being charged with the following offenses:
-1st Degree Murder
-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony (2)
-Possession of Firearm By Person Prohibited
-Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
-1st Degree Reckless Endangering (9)
Age: 22
Address: S. Walnut Street, Milford, DE
This case marks the seventh homicide in 2015, an unfortunate record high for the City of Dover. After the successful resolution of this case, three of the seven homicide cases in 2015 remain unsolved. The city has also seen an increase in shootings, with thirty-two cases through November 4th. In many of these cases, police know there are multiple witnesses. However, witness cooperation continues to be inconsistent at best. On the heels of the latest homicide arrest Chief Paul Bernat stated: “We have provided extra patrols, we have positioned our officers and arranged their work schedules to combat criminal activity, and we continue to conduct community outreach activities in our high-crime areas. At some point, the citizens have to speak up and take a stand. That time is now. Help us, help you.” The Dover Police Department provides several options to send in information including personal meetings, telephone, social media, the department website, and through its partnership with Delaware Crime Stoppers. No matter the method in which information is provided, the department promises anonymity. Information provided to Delaware Crime Stoppers can result in cash rewards up to $1,000.00 after arrest and conviction.
Information on the active homicide investigations can be found at the links below:
–January 25, 2015 Victim: Jordan Michael Peck
-April 26, 2015 Victim: David Clark
-October 2, 2015 Victim: Thomas Deputy
Original Release:
Complaint # 50-15-32382
Date/Time: Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 11:13PM
Location: Unit Block of South New Street, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 36-year-old man on Sunday night. At approximately 11:13PM, the Dover Police Department received reports of shots fired in the area of South New Street with a male victim being struck. Officers arrived to find Sylvester Williams of Middletown with a gunshot wound to his torso. Williams was transported to Bayhealth Kent General Hospital where he died as a result of his injuries. Information is still limited at this time. This is the 7th homicide in the City of Dover in 2015.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on-line at http://www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police Department MyPD Mobile App.