LAUREL POLICE INTERRUPT AN ACTIVE SHOOTING

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August 1, 2024
Laurel, DE - On 7/31/24 at approximately 10:07 pm, Laurel Police Department units were dispatched to the area of Hollybrook Apartments for a shots-fired complaint. As officers were responding, additional 911 calls were being received reporting a subject shot in the Carvel Gardens Apartments. Dispatchers obtained descriptions of two vehicles that were seen leaving the scene and relayed the information to responding officers.

While multiple Laurel PD Officers and Delaware State Police Troopers responded to the area, a Laurel PD Officer observed a vehicle matching the suspect's description at the Grazing Court and Discount Land Road intersection. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the car, which was found to be occupied by two adults and two juveniles. The officer detained all four occupants while additional units responded to the two call locations.

Officers located a 17-year-old male with a gunshot wound in Carvel Gardens and determined that the shooting occurred on Pasture Lane in Hollybrook Apartments. While securing both scenes, officers confirmed that the vehicle stopped on Discount Land Road was, in fact, the suspect vehicle and that the alleged shooter was a passenger in that vehicle.

The male victim was promptly transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Due to the multiple locations needing to be processed for the investigation, the Seaford and Blades Police Departments dispatched officers to assist with scene security.

Further investigation identified the suspected shooter as a 17-year-old male from Bridgeville, DE. He was arrested and charged by the Laurel Police Department with the following crimes:

-Assault Second Degree (Class D Felony)
-Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Class D Felony)
-Aggravated Menacing (Class E Felony)

The juvenile male subject was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, with representation from DSCYF and a parent present. He was committed to Stevenson House Juvenile Detention Center in lieu of $12,000 secured bail.

During the original traffic stop, the driver of the suspect vehicle was identified as Chantel T Parker (38) of Laurel, DE. Parker displayed multiple signs of alcohol impairment and a DUI Investigation ensued, ultimately finding that she was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. Parker was also arrested and charged by the Laurel Police Department with the following crimes:

-3rd Offense Driving Under the Influence (Class G Felony)
-Endangering the Welfare of a Child by DUI x2 (Class A Misdemeanor)

Due to her level of intoxication, Parker was committed into the custody of Sussex Correctional Institution on an intoxication hold until she is ready for arraignment.

The issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a subject is merely a showing of probable cause by the investigating agency related to the above incident. The subject, once arrested, is considered to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This is an active investigation. Anyone with information about this incident or other criminal activity is asked to contact the Laurel Police Department at 302-875-2244 or by direct message to this page. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Delaware Crime Stoppers by calling 800-847-3333 or texting "KEYWORD" followed by your information to CRIMES (274637).

Tips submitted to Crime Stoppers that lead to an arrest are potentially eligible for a cash reward.