BRIDGEVILLE, Del.- Delaware State Police on Thursday evening released the name of a man who was shot to death during an early morning home invasion that occurred at a home just south of Bridgeville.
Police said an autopsy was conducted on 35-year-old James F. Dickerson and the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death as a homicide by gunshot wound to the head.
Police said that a woman called troopers to the home on Conrail Road in Bridgeville, shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday with a report of people breaking into the house and shots fired. When troopers arrived, police said they found Dickerson in the kitchen with a gunshot wound to his head. Sussex County Paramedics arrived a short time later and police said they pronounced Dickerson dead.
Police said the 53-year-old woman and three other male residents were not injured and the suspects fled the home after the shooting.
"We were victims," said a woman that answered the door to the home on Thursday afternoon. "It was an invasion."
Detectives said they are continuing their investigation by conducting interviews and collecting evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. No further suspect information was released by police, as of Thursday evening.
"It's scary," said neighbor Jeanette Merritt. "It almost makes you want to just sit down and cry."
Merritt said that it makes matters worse that the suspects are still on the run.
"I've had butterflies in my stomach all morning," she said. "You know - it's so close. You just don't think that something like this is going to happen."
Another neighbor, Dawn Wheatley, said that the area is typically a relatively calm place, making the incident that much more surprising.
"You hear about it in other places," she said. "And you think I'm glad I don't live there. And then it happens here, and I just want to keep my kids safe."
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective J. King at (302) 698-8561. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
