Watch CBS News

Investigation Continues Into Police-Involved Shooting In Wilmington

By Cleve Bryan

WILMINGTON, Del., (CBS) – The Delaware Department of Justice is now looking into a police-involved shooting in Wilmington.

Phyllis McDole is engulfed in grief and anger after police allegedly shot and killed her son 28-year-old Jeremy McDole in this video first obtained by Eyewitness News.

Police say four officers engaged McDole, whose is wheelchair bound, after receiving a report he was armed and had already shot himself. It's difficult to see what McDole does or says in the video, but police tell him numerous times to drop a gun and put his hands up before opening fire in rapid succession.

Police say they recovered a .38 calibur handgun at McDole's side. Family say the officers made the situation worse than it had to be.

"I watched a video they shot my son so much he fell out the wheelchair, he fell out the chair on the ground,"said Phyllis McDole.

Shortly after speaking to Eyewitness News today Phyllis McDole attended a news briefing at City Hall, and after announcing her presence she was invited to the podium next to the mayor and police chief.

"Would you like to come up ma'am? Would you like to come up?"

"This is unjust. He was in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down. And this video is showing that he didn't pull a weapon," said McDole.

Authorities subpoenaed video of the incident from Eyewitness News. Eyewitness News asked Chief Bobby Cummings what officers saw that we don't when in regards to McDole and the gun.

"When the officers engaged him they were able to see that he had a weapon and information prior to them getting there was that he had inflicted injury upon himself with the handgun," said Wilmington Police Chief Bobby Cummings.

The Delaware Attorney General's Office is investigating McDole's death as they do all police-involved shootings, but community members are asking for an independent investigation as well.

Police say the officers involved in the shooting investigation have been placed on administrative duty until the completion of the investigation.

There will be a prayer vigil Thursday night for Jeremy McDole.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.