Dover police make arrest in murder of Delaware father and son

The next door neighbor of a father and son found dead in their home Monday is now charged with murdering the pair.

Dover police arrested Jason O’Neil in connection with the deaths of 91 year old Howard A. Sheppard and his 60 year old son, Howard R. Sheppard.

Dover Police Captain Tim Stump says, “The neighbors were very cooperative in helping police with the investigation.”  Stump says O’Neil was taken into custody for questioning early in the investigation.  He says a search warrant was granted yesterday afternoon.  Police were able to find some physical evidence connected to the murder. They also found jewelry connected to a burglary at another residence when they searched the home.

The pair were murdered sometime Saturday morning inside their Governor Street home.  A family member found them Monday morning.

Neighbors describe the father and son as quiet.  However, Captain Stump says, “There have been some on going issues between the Sheppard’s and O’Neil. 

The elder Sheppard ran a woodworking shop in the back of his home.  The Delaware State News reports Sheppard made some of the wooden gavels used by Delaware Supreme Court Justice Maurice Harnett and at Dover City Hall.

O’Neil is being held without bail at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center.