DOJ: Police Use of Deadly Force Justified in Two Separate Incidents

The Delaware Department of Justice has ruled that two separate police shootings were legally justified and not criminal. In an October 4th, 2023 incident in Bridgeville, troopers shot and killed Jordan James after he fired a weapon multiple times while fleeing near the Perdue Feed Mill.  Corporal William Schuele returned fire, striking James, who later died from a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators say Corporal William Schuele reasonably believed deadly force was necessary to protect himself and others. In a June 4th, 2024 incident at Harmony at Kent, Arnold Azamar Jr. shot and killed one man and threatened others before refusing to drop his weapon. After attempts to negotiate failed, Sgt. John Wilson and Cpl. Eric Saccomanno fatally shot him. Authorities say the officers acted to protect people nearby, including an elderly woman and a child. Following reviews of evidence and interviews, the DOJ found both uses of force were justified under Delaware law, with no criminal charges warranted and no evidence that race was a factor.  You’ll find the full reports posted to the DOJ’s use of force investigation portal.