MILTON, Del. - A 44-year-old man identified as Gregory Painter of Milford, Delaware, was shot and killed by Delaware State Police on Thursday, May 1 after troopers say he charged toward them with a knife following a chase in Milton.
On May 1 at about 3:56 p.m., multiple 911 callers reported an impaired driver swerving and driving erratically on Lewes-Georgetown Highway near Harbeson Road. Witnesses said the red Ford F-150 was veering into oncoming traffic and driving on the shoulder.
Troopers located the truck on Coolspring Road near Fisher Road and tried to initiate a traffic stop. The driver, however, refused to stop, leading police on a pursuit through several area roads. The chase ended when the truck pulled into a driveway on the 28000 block of West Springside Drive in the Cool Spring Farms community.
Police say the driver, a 44-year-old man from Milford, got out of the truck armed with a knife and ran into a nearby home that was occupied and was not his home. After a brief entry into the home, he came back outside still holding the knife.
Troopers say they issued multiple commands for the man to stop and drop the weapon. When he continued to move toward them while armed, both troopers fired their handguns.
Troopers immediately provided first aid until emergency responders arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
Both troopers have been placed on administrative leave while the DSP and the Delaware Department of Justice investigate the use of force, per protocol.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is leading the investigation and is asking anyone with information to contact Detective B. McDerby at 302-741-2821. Tips can also be provided anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.