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."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:25:14 GMT
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse.
A vandal shattered both windows and nerves in a Cumberland County, New Jersey neighborhood. He did plenty of damage, but residents are thankful it wasn't any worse, because they know the vandal easily could have hurt someone.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:55:49 GMT
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
A week ago Sarah cheered at the prospect of getting another chance at life. Now her family is waiting for her to take her first breath with her new donor lungs.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:11 GMT
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on
It's a critical waiting period right now for a 10-year-old Delaware County girl. Sarah Murnaghan received her double lung transplant Wednesday, thanks to a judge's order that allowed her to get on an adult organ donor waiting list despite her young age. And while the transplant is cause for celebration, Sarah still has quite a fight ahead.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:19:58 GMT
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Breaking news in North Philadelphia on the 2300 block of North Tenth Street, where three people, including a pregnant woman, were shot. This happened just before four this afternoon.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:35 GMT
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
At approximately 2:45pm Wednesday afternoon, a bank robbery occurred at the National Penn Bank on E. High Street in Pottstown, PA. Police have captured three of the fours suspects so far.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:11:57 GMT
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
If you hated going to traffic court in Philadelphia, you won't have to anymore! Today, Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill abolishing traffic court,effective immediately.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:57:28 GMT
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
A main line mascot gets the boot. At issue: cultural sensitivity.It's an issue that's been playing out on athletic fields all over America: re-thinking team names and the mascots that go with them.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:47:02 GMT
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
City administration officials came before a City Council committee with orders not to talk about the building collapse, but that didn't stop council members from raising questions.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:06 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:06:59 GMT
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Six of the people accused in one of the largest public corruption cases in our area's history plead guilty today in court. 18 people total are accused of bilking the Bensalem school district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:49 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:49:38 GMT
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Everyone remembers Cabbage Patch Dolls. They were those cherub-faced dolls that had yarn hair. A fan of those dolls is making and selling wigs to look exactly like the toy!They come in all shapes, sizes
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:37 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:37:45 GMT
Thursday weather looks spectacular with mostly sunny skies and low humidity levels. A light jacket may be needed early in the day with lows in the 50s, but under sunny skies temperatures climb into the low 80s. Along the coast highs top out in the mid 70s. Winds will be out of the WSW 5-10 mph. High 83. Low 58.
Police tape surrounds the crime scene Saturday where a Wilmington police officer was shot.
