Police Clear Troopers After Fatal Shooting Near Dover

In June 2024, a confrontation outside an assisted‑living home in Dover escalated into a deadly shooting.
Arnold Azamar Jr., who had been barred from the facility for earlier aggressive acts, arrived to see his mother. After dinner a dispute over whether he could leave with her turned into a verbal clash that quickly escalated.

The Escalation

• Maintenance worker William Whitehead, on duty with his eight‑year‑old son, intervened and asked Azamar to leave.
• Azamar punched Whitehead and fled toward his SUV, drawing a gun. He fired at anyone nearby, including the vehicle of a cousin who had come to help.
• Whitehead was struck twice and later died from his injuries.

Police Response

Emergency calls triggered a rapid response.
Delaware State Police officers Sergeant John Wilson and Corporal Eric Saccomanno arrived with other agencies already on the scene. They took tactical positions around the parking lot.

Despite repeated orders for Azamar to drop his weapon, he continued to brandish it.
When a mother and child were at risk, Wilson fired his gun to stop the threat. Saccomanno also discharged his rifle after Azamar moved away from his mother, ensuring all shots hit the suspect.

Legal Outcome

The Delaware Department of Justice reviewed the case and found:

• Both troopers acted within legal bounds.
• Their use of deadly force was deemed necessary for self‑protection and to safeguard others, especially after Whitehead had been shot and an eight‑year‑old child was present.
• No criminal wrongdoing by the officers; both were cleared.

The report emphasizes that their actions met state law requirements during a chaotic emergency.