Delaware State Trooper shot in Wilmington [video]

 (Shana O'Malley/for NewsWorks)

(Shana O'Malley/for NewsWorks)

A Delaware State Trooper is recovering tonight at Christiana Hospital after being shot in the arm this afternoon in Wilmington.

The incident happened just after 4 p.m. near East 24th and Market Streets in Wilmington. Delaware State Police Sgt. Paul Shavack said he couldn’t release many details about how or why the officer was shot, or if they have a suspect in custody.

“Investigators are still combing the scene, doing interviews and looking for evidence at that scene there,” said Shavack.

Dozens of armed officers and police cars blocked off the area for hours after the shooting.

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Police were spotted making an arrest just a few blocks from where the incident took place, but its unclear if that arrest is related to this crime.

The 44-year-old officer is a 17-year veteran of DSP. Shavack said the officer was up and talking and is in “great spirits.”

Gov. Jack Markell stopped by the hospital to meet with the officer.

“Certainly as soon as we heard about what happened today I wanted to be here,” said Markell. “I was so appreciative to have the opportunity to see him myself and to talk to him, and most importantly hear from him and hear how well he’s doing.”

Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams briefly stopped at the crime scene and his office released a statement on his behalf.

“Mayor Williams’ immediate concern is for the injured officer. The city’s thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and all the men and women who risk their lives daily to protect us,” said spokeswoman Alexandra Coppadge.

This is the fourth officer shot in Wilmington this year.

In January, a Wilmington police officer was shot in the face following a traffic stop and two Capitol Police were shot, but uninjured in February after a man opened fire inside the New Castle County Courthouse.

Shootings overall in Wilmington are up dramatically this year. Mayor Williams will be on First this week, Friday at 5:30 and 11 p.m. on WHYY-TV.  Williams said things will get worse before they get better, in terms of controlling the cause of gun violence.

Investigators remain on the scene piecing together what happened in the moments leading up to the shooting of the trooper.

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