Delaware Black Caucus calls for independent investigation

Black leaders in Delaware want an independent federal investigator to look into the shooting death of wheelchair-bound Jeremy McDole. 

The Delaware Black Caucus sent out a news release Tuesday afternoon calling on Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams, Attorney General Matt Denn and Gov. Jack Markell to launch a federal investigation into the officer-involved shooting on Sept. 23.

“We strongly believe that nothing short of this would demonstration [sic] that this incident is handled fairly and with total transparency,” the release stated.

The 28-year-old was shot and killed last month in the 1800 block of Tulip Street in Wilmington after four Wilmington police officers responded to a 911 call about a man who shot himself and was still armed. The officers’ identities have not been released. 

Cellphone video shows officers telling McDole to drop his weapon. McDole is seen reaching for his waist area before gunfire erupts. Authorities said they found a gun near his body. Family members said McDole was unarmed.

The Wilmington Police Department and the Delaware Dept. of Justice’s Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust are currently investigating.

The request for federal intervention echoes similar calls from New Castle County Councilman Jea Street and religious leaders affiliated with the Interdenominational Ministers Action Council.