In the updated story announcing the arrest of Rodney West as the suspect in the Towne Point Elementary School shooting death of Derrick Combs, Combs was incorrectly listed as an employee of the school. Rodney West, the suspect in custody, was an employee of the school. The original release has been corrected.
Day: August 30, 2018
Arrest Made in Shooting Death on Towne Point Elementary School Property 8-30-2018
Update:
The Dover Police Department is announcing the arrest of Rodney West (53) in connection with the shooting death of Derrick Combs that occurred on Tuesday night on the property of Towne Point Elementary School. West was an employee with the Capital School District. West was arrested by the US Marshal’s in Montgomery County, Maryland and is currently being held pending extradition to Delaware.
West is currently being held on the following charges:
-Murder 1st Degree
-Possession of a Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Possession of Firearm Safe School Zone
The investigation into this incident is still ongoing.
Incident/Complaint#: 50-18-29100
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 at 9:58PM
Location: Towne Point Elementary School, 629 Buckson Drive, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Mark Hoffman, Public Information Officer
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating the shooting death of a 39-year-old man on Tuesday night. At approximately 9:58PM on August 28th, officers responded to Towne Point Elementary School for a report of shots fired with a subject lying on the ground. Upon arrival officers located Derrick Combs who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was deceased.
During the preliminary investigation, detectives have learned enough information to believe this was not a random act and there is no threat to Towne Point Elementary and have identified a person of interest. There were no students at the school at the time of the incident.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Capital School District has closed Towne Point Elementary on August 28th, 2018. For questions pertaining to Capital School District, please contact Candace McCarthy (Public Relations) at 302-672-1500
Dr. Dan Shelton, Superintendent of Capital School District, released the following statement: “… Dover Police Department works very closely with the Capital School District in incidents involving our schools. We have no reason to believe that there is currently any potential threat against any of our students or staff. This is an ongoing investigation by the Dover Police Department.
In the spirit of utmost caution, Towne Point Elementary will remain closed today, Wednesday, August 29th.
As you know, the Capital School District takes student and staff safety very seriously and are saddened by the unfortunate events that may take place in our neighborhoods. We also strive to keep our families informed of events in and around our schools. We anticipate when Towne Point re-opens tomorrow, an additional Dover Police presence.”
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. 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