Suspected gunman killed by police after worker shot to death at Delaware senior living center

Law enforcement officials in Delaware are investigating after troopers with the Delaware State Police shot and killed a gunman shortly after he, allegedly, killed a staff member at a senior living center in Dover on Tuesday.

According to police, the incident began when a 51-year-old Arnold Azamar from Camden, Del., was visiting a female relative who is a resident at the Harmony at Kent Senior Living Center, located along the 1400 block of East Lebanon Road in Dover, at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday.

The man, officials said, had been banned from the property in the past due to, what investigators called, aggressive behavior.

Police officials said, in a statement, that the man and his female relative were escorted outside of the facility by 59-year-old William Whitehead of Frederica, Del., a staff member at the senior living center.

Once outside, officials said, the Azamar punched the staff member and ran to his vehicle in the parking lot, where he grabbed a handgun.

Azamar then he fired one shot into a vehicle that belonged to one of his male relatives who was driving through the parking lot and then he took aim and shot the Whitehead.

After the shooting, Azamar stayed near his vehicle in the lot alongside his female relative as police arrived on the scene, officials said.

Then, officials said, state police troopers attempted to negotiate with Azamar before he, allegedly, raised his handgun, prompting troopers to fire at him.

Both Azamar and Whitehead were taken to a nearby hospital where they died of the gunshot wounds they suffered during the incident, police said.

State police officials said that the troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave pending a use of force investigation that will be conducted in conjunction with the state's Department of Justice.

Officials said an investigation is ongoing and they are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective D. Grassi by calling 302-365-8441 or emailing daniel.grassi@delaware.gov.

Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.