Police in Wilmington, Delaware, are searching for a third suspect involved in the near-fatal shooting of a city police officer. Two other young men are in custody, after a Sunday afternoon traffic stop turned violent.
Thirty-four-year-old Justin Wilkers nearly gave his life doing his job. The three-year police veteran now has a bullet lodged in the back of his skull, after a gunman shot him in the face. Vernon Ross lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, in Wilmington's Southbridge neighborhood. Ross told Fox 29 he hear, "Pop pop pop, four real quick shots, it was four fast shots. I jumped straight up."
The shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Officer Wilkers and his partner spotted a suspicious vehicle at C and South Buttonwood Streets. When they tried to pull the driver over a couple of blocks away, the car took off. The chase ended on the 1200 block of Peach Street, when the three suspects in the car got out and ran. "As one of the suspects exited the vehicle, he drew a handgun and fired at Officer Wilkers, who was attempting to exit the police vehicle," Cpl. Mark Ivey, a spokesman for the Wilmington Police Department, explained.
Police arrested two of the suspects shortly after the shooting: the driver, 20-year-old Jared Wiggins, and his passenger, 21-year-old Ronald Boyce. But they're still searching for the other passenger. Police won't say which of the three shot Wilkers.
This is the first time in 20 years a Wilmington police officer has been shot in the line of duty, and clearly it has rattled the department. "The past 24 hours have been difficult and extremely painful," Cpl. Ivey said. His boss, Police Chief Christine Dunning, made clear her disgust. "This assault on our police officer Justin Wilkers is an affront, an insult and a total sign of disrespect of authority."
Wilkers is married with a daughter and a son, both under the age of five. He's expected to undergo surgery and is facing a long road to recovery. "We are very fortunate that we still have our brother officer with us today," Chief Dunning said. "However, Justin Wilkers' condition, even thought it's been stabilized, he still has many challenges to face."
Friday, May 17 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:08:49 GMT
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.If you were lucky enough to get outside Friday, to a place like the Perkiomen
A man in Montgomery County is determined to shock and disgust unsuspecting women, even if they're with their young children.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:49 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:49:13 GMT
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer.
A Hollywood A-lister takes the world by surprise by opening up about a very private matter. Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday she chose to have a double mastectomy to lower her risk of getting cancer. Jolie's not the first woman to do it, but she may be the most high profile. Her decision is touching off a serious conversation about the preventive measure.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:41:42 GMT
A man being questioned by federal authorities in the Boston Marathon bombing probe was fatally shot in Florida when he initiated a violent confrontation, according to the FBI.
A man being questioned by federal authorities in the Boston Marathon bombing probe was fatally shot in Florida when he initiated a violent confrontation, according to the FBI.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:27 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:27:41 GMT
Transit officials say a commuter train has struck and killed a man on the tracks outside Philadelphia. It happened around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on the Southeastern
Transit officials say a commuter train has struck and killed a man on the tracks outside Philadelphia. It happened around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on the Southeastern
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:10:10 GMT
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Humane Society of the United States are offering more than $5,000 for information on whoever fatally shot a bald eagle in western Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Humane Society of the United States are offering more than $5,000 for information on whoever fatally shot a bald eagle in western Pennsylvania
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:45:09 GMT
Philadelphia police are hoping surveillance video will help them catch the gunmen who shot and killed a teenager in the parking lot of a Rita's Water Ice.
Philadelphia police are hoping surveillance video will help them catch the gunmen who shot and killed a teenager in the parking lot of a Rita's Water Ice.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 AM EDT2013-05-22 09:50:07 GMT
Still feels like summer out there. Highs in the mid 80s today. Just like summer, it'll be humid, with a chance of a few spotty showers late in the day.
Tomorrow, strong thunderstorms move through, from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. That front will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Police tape surrounds the crime scene Saturday where a Wilmington police officer was shot.
