SEAFORD, Del. — Delaware State Police have arrested one man and are searching for another in connection with a deadly shooting Thursday night in Seaford that investigators say stemmed from a planned drug transaction.
Police identified the victim Saturday as 17-year-old Jacob Rinier Jr. of Laurel.
Troopers responded around 8:45 p.m. Thursday to the 24000 block of German Road for a reported crash. When officers arrived, they found Rinier suffering from a gunshot wound inside the car and began lifesaving efforts, according to police. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
A juvenile passenger in the car was also taken to a hospital, evaluated and released.
Investigators said Rinier had arranged to meet 19-year-old Darrin West and 19-year-old Omar Vidro-Pacheco, both of Seaford, at the Concord Pond boat ramp for a drug transaction.
According to police, West pulled out a handgun and pointed it into the car before shooting Rinier as he attempted to drive away. Police said Rinier lost consciousness while driving on German Road, causing the crash.
Troopers located a Hyundai Sonata registered to Vidro-Pacheco in the parking lot of the boat ramp and took Vidro-Pacheco into custody without incident after finding him nearby, police said.
Vidro-Pacheco was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and first-degree conspiracy. He was committed to the Delaware Department of Correction on more than $1.1 million cash bond.
Police said West remains wanted on the same charges.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate. Anyone with information about the case or West’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective B. McDerby at 302-741-2821 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-847-3333.
