BEAR, Del.- Delaware State Police have identified 29-year-old Sheldon C. Francis of Middletown, as the suspect responsible for gunning down an 85-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife Friday morning on the grounds of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear.
The male victim was initially admitted to an area hospital in critical condition. On Saturday, May 9, the man died at the hospital. His wife was pronounced dead on scene at the time of the original incident. Identification of both victims is pending notification of next of kin.
Francis was located deceased at approximately 4 p.m., on the date of the incident, in a wooded area located just off of Brennan Boulevard in the development of Brennan Estates, which is adjacent to the grounds of the cemetery. This wooded area was where an exchange of gunfire between Francis and officers on scene had taken place at approximately 12:08 p.m. Upon being located Francis was confirmed to have sustained a gunshot wound. It is undetermined at this time if the wound was self-inflicted or as a result of the exchange of gunfire.
The investigation is active and ongoing and will be furthered by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Det. M. Ryde by calling 302-698-8557.
Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
