Delaware State Police have identified the man killed in the officer-involved shooting at a New Castle area Lowes on Thursday as Tremaine Jackson, of Wilmington.
According to police, troopers with the Governor’s Task Force and the Special Operations Response Team were at the Lowe’s on Hessler Boulevard outside of Wilmington just before 7:30 a.m. to apprehend Jackson, a “known fugitive shoplifting at the business.”
Police said troopers had been investigating Jackson for several crimes since July 2022 and knew he had multiple arrest warrants in Delaware and Pennsylvania for felony crimes and other offenses. Furthermore, they said during the month of August, Jackson was involved in a string of high-speed car chases, resulting in crashes. Police said as Jackson’s history of evading arrest posed a risk to public safety and his alleged involvement in criminal activities, police were actively attempting to arrest Jackson.
State police’s explanation of what happened
In a public statement explaining what led up to the shooting of Jackson, police said troopers made an attempt to stop the man, but he ran away. According to police, Jackson got into a vehicle parked behind the business and hit an unmarked police vehicle. Police said they gave multiple commands to stop, but Jackson refused to obey and physically resisted when a trooper tried to remove him from the car. They said that as Jackson continued to drive, one of the troopers became trapped between the guardrail and Jackson’s driver’s side door. A four-year veteran and a 12-year veteran of the Delaware State Police fired at him.
After shooting Jackson, troopers attempted to save his life, until paramedics arrived. Jackson was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Two troopers sustained injuries during the incident and were taken to a nearby hospital. They were later released.
SIGNED INTO LAW: Delaware tries again to make substantive police reform. Is this time different?
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is conducting an ongoing investigation into this case. Following standard operating procedures, the two troopers involved in the shooting have been put on administrative leave. Concurrently, a use-of-force investigation is being carried out in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Justice.
This case may be the first test of major police reform bills signed into law in August attempting sweeping changes to police accountability and transparency statewide. Although the law is touted as a step forward when it comes to lifting the veil of secrecy that surrounds police personnel records, including disciplinary and investigative records, advocates argue it falls short regarding what the public can and cannot access.
This is Breaking News from reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com. Join her on the Facebook group Delaware Voices Uplifted. Support her work and become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware police identify man killed by police at Lowes Thursday