**UPDATE 10/21/2022** – Syncere Friends, 23, of Dover, DE has been arrested in Atlanta, Georgia by the United States Marshals Southeast Regional Task Force for the September 5th shooting in Simon Circle that left a 19-year-old Dover woman injured. Through the investigation, Friends was developed as a suspect and Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. On October 20th at 6:00 a.m., members of the United States Marshals Southeast Regional Task Force contacted Friends at a residence in the 900 block of Washington Place SW Atlanta, GA. Friends was taken into custody without incident and is awaiting extradition to Delaware where he will be formally charged with the following:
-Assault First Degree -Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person -Reckless Endangering -Violation of Probation
Syncere Friends Dover, DE
ORIGINAL RELEASE
Incident Number: 50-22-27466
Date/Time: Monday, September 5, 2022, at 2:44 a.m.
Location: Simon Circle and Hayes Circle, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us
Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred early Monday morning that left a 19-year-old Dover woman injured. At 2:44 a.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Simon Circle and Hayes Circle reported hearing several shots fired. Officers responded to this location and located the victim, who had sustained a gun shot wound to her upper torso. Officers rendered aid to the victim until EMS arrived. The victim was then transported to Bayheath Kent Campus for further treatment.
Through the ensuing investigation, it was determined that there had been a verbal argument between two male subjects in the 300 block of Simon Circle. During the argument, one of the subjects displayed a firearm and discharged it several times in the direction of the victim, causing her to sustain the injury to her upper torso.
Officers checked the area where this shooting occurred and located several spent shell casings.
**UPDATE 10/21/22**- The Dover Police Department has arrested Duante Morrison, 30, of Dover, Delaware for the October 16th shooting death of Jesse Holley. Through the investigation, Morrison was developed as a suspect and Detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest. On October 20 at approximately 6:00 p.m., members of the United States First State Fugitive Task Force, US Marshals Capital Area Regional Task Force, Dover Police Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, and Delaware Probation and Parole responded to Independant Strap Metal at 883 Horsepond Road Dover, DE after receiving information that Morrison was at the business. Officers contacted Morrison at the business and he was taken into custody without incident.
Morrison was transported to Dover Police where he was arraigned and committed to SCI on $1,092,200 cash bail on the following charges: -Murder First Degree -Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony -Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person -Reckless Endangering First Degree (2x) -Criminal Mischief Under $1,000 (2x)
Duante Morrison Dover, DE
**UPDATE 10/17/22 – VICTIM IDENTIFIED** The Dover Police Department continues to investigate the homicide that occurred yesterday, October 16th, on South Bradford Street. The victim in this case has been identified as Jesse Holley (29) of Dover, Delaware.
If you wish to provide information on this case please contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
Incident Number: 50-22-32148
Date/Time: Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 1:12 a.m.
Location: 100 block of South Bradford Street, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us
Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred early Sunday morning on South Bradford Street. The investigation began at approximately 1:12 a.m., when Dover Police received a call for a shooting in the 100 block of South Bradford Street. Upon arrival, officers and medical personnel located the victim, a 29-year-old male, with a gun shot wound to his lower body. First responders began providing medical attention to the victim and he was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The name of the victim is being withheld until next of kin has been notified.
**UPDATE** The original release below did not include the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person for John Cook. Cook was arraigned on the charge of Possession of a Firearm by Prohibited Person on 10/20/22 and released on this charge. He was committed to SCI on the below charges. We are evaluating the facts of this case with the DOJ to determine whether additional charges are appropriate.
Incident Number: 50-22-32468
Date/Time: Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 12:50 a.m.
Location: 2400 block of Whiteoak Road, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Master Corporal Ryan Schmid Email: Ryan.Schmid@cj.state.de.us
Narrative: The Dover Police Department has arrested John Cook(41), of Dover, DE, for drug dealing following a home invasion that left a 46-year-old male from California critically injured. The investigation began on October 18, 2022 at 11:33 p.m. when the Delaware State Police responded to a call for shots fired in the 2400 block of Whiteoak Road and learned there was a person that had been shot several times in his upper torso in the 2700 block of Whiteoak Road. State Police Units responded and the 46-year-old male was located and transported to an area hospital for his injuries. He was later flown to a New Castle County Hospital for further treatment and was listed in critical condition.
State Police units canvassed the area for a crime scene which led them to an unoccupied residence in the 2400 block of Whiteoak Road. At the residence, they observed several shell casings and it appeared there was some type of struggle inside of the residence. At this time, Dover Police was contacted because this house is inside the City of Dover and falls within our jurisdiction.
Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on the residence. As a result of surveillance video in the home, it was learned that the homeowner, Cook, met with the 46-year-old male from California and another male on the porch of his residence. The two men began to attack Cook who fled inside of his residence. The two men forced entry into the home, one being armed with a firearm and Cook fired a handgun several times, striking the 46-year-old California man, who then fled the scene and was later located by Delaware State Police.
As a result of the search warrant Detectives located the following items: -Approximately 61.6 grams on fentanyl -Approximately 3.1 grams of heroin -5.7 Caliber ammunition -11 illegal M class explosive devices -various drug packaging material
Cook was located in Middletown, Delaware on the 19th and arrested. He was transported to Dover Police where he was arraigned and committed to SCI on $146,200 cash bail on the following charges: -Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity -Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity -Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person -Possessino with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance -Possesson of Destructive Weapon -Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
The name of the 46-year-old male from California and his current location are being with held at this time to protect the integrity of this investigation. The identity of the second suspect is still unknown. Any new information will be included in an updated news release when available.
John Cook Dover, DE
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 may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Dover Police Victim Services Unit is available to provide help and guidance. You can contact the Victim Services Unit at 302-736-7134 or by email at: Diane.Glenn@cj.state.de.us
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