WILMINGTON, Del. (KYW Newsradio) — A police officer shot and killed a Delaware man and wounded a woman during a drug investigation Monday night.
The incident took place shortly before 8 p.m. outside of a 7-Eleven in the Richardson Park section of the city.
According to the New Castle County Division of Police, 22-year-old Andrew Edelmann, of New Castle, was making an illegal drug delivery near Maryland Avenue and East Reamer Avenue when officers with prior knowledge of the delivery attempted to arrest him.
When the officers stopped Edelmann in his Hyundai Santa Fe in the 7-Eleven parking lot, they tried to apprehend him, authorities said. But Edelmann allegedly ignored commands to surrender and instead drove his car toward the officers.
A police officer fired at the SUV, fatally wounding Edelmann and hitting his 21-year-old female passenger. Edelmann died in the hospital. The woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive. She remains in the hospital.
Investigators say illegal drugs were recovered from inside the vehicle, and a loaded assault style rifle was found on the driver's side floorboard.
Law enforcement from the state and county are investigating. The officer who pulled the trigger, a 10-year veteran, is on administrative leave while the investigation takes place.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Lt. Justin Breslin with the New Castle County Division of Police, Criminal Investigations Unit, at 302-395-8110 or justin.breslin@newcastlede.gov.
Individuals can also call the division's non-emergency number at 302-573-2800.
