Delaware hospitals say cost review board proposal a 'non-starter' for providers
CRIME

A hundred prayers for Dover peace

Jon Offredo
The News Journal
  • City officials said they are stepping up police presence in the affected areas%2C doubling patrol units
  • The city has also organized a coalition of officials%2C residents and community leaders to develop proactive measures to stem violence

Dover residents, city and state officials called for an end to the violence that has flared in the state's capital city in the last few days, during a vigil Thursday night in the parking lot behind Father's Kingdom Church.

Close to a hundred people gathered to pray for peace in the streets of Dover, and an end to a rash of shootings that has rocked the community.

"Prayer changes things. It changes situations and we have a problem in our city," said the Rev. Rita Mishoe Paige, pastor of the Star Hill AME Church in Dover and social action chair of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, which hosted the vigil.

Thursday evening's vigil was held within a hundred yards of two of the three shootings in Dover since Sunday. Two people were killed and two others injured in the three separate incidents that unfolded within a mile of each other. Police do not believe the incidents are connected.

Delzell Rich, who lives a few streets over on New Street, said the prayer vigil was great.

"Us Christians need to get out here and pray for people, and to stop the violence," she said.

She said she's never seen it this bad in Dover.

"It's getting crazy out here," she said.

On Wednesday morning, a man was shot in the foot while returning home from a job interview at McDonald's. The shooting sent him to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries and caused a lockdown at nearby Wesley College and area schools.

It also made officials consider delaying a press conference scheduled to discuss ways the city can reduce violence.

On Sunday afternoon, Yusif Lamb, 33, of New Jersey, was fatally shot in the chest. Police said the killing occurred after Lamb and a group of people confronted 32-year-old Shamarr Willingham about an argument involving a woman. Charges were later dropped against Willingham, who investigators say acted in self-defense.

Earlier on Sunday, a 24-year-old New Castle man was killed as he was leaving a late-night house party, and a 25-year-old Dover woman, also leaving the party, was seriously wounded by the gunfire. She is expected to recover from her injuries.

Residents and local pastors said Thursday evening that prayer is only the beginning. Now, it's in the hands of the community, its police and elected officials to take the next step.

City officials said Wednesday that they are stepping up police presence in those affected areas, doubling patrol units.

The city has also organized a coalition of officials, local residents and community leaders to work on proactive measures to stem violence.

Contact Jon Offredo at (302) 678-4271 and joffredo@delawareonline.comor on Twitter @jonoffredo.

Dover police arrest 34 in sweep

In the wake of a violent week of shootings,Dover police assisted by other agencies have arrested 34 people sought on various warrants and criminal charges across Delaware.

The warrant sweep began early Tuesday and ended Wednesday, officials reported Thursday morning.

Officers from the U.S. Marshal's First State Fugitive Task Force, Delaware State Police, Department of Correction and probation and parole officers joined in the arrests.

Dover police said those arrested were generally cooperative.