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Delaware officer dead, one injured in shooting

chadSpicer.jpg

In this undated photo released by Delaware State Police, Georgetown, Del. police officer Chad Spicer is shown. (AP Photo)

By Peter Mucha
Philadelphia Inquirer

GEORGETOWN, Del. — Two men are in custody and a third is being sought in Delaware in connection with the fatal shooting of one police officer last night and the wounding of another.

Patrolman Chad Spicer died at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, where Cpl. Shawn Brittingham was in guarded but stable condition this morning with a neck wound, according to Cpl. Bruce Harris, a spokesman for Delaware State Police.

Wanted for questioning is Christopher Reeves, 20, of Lincoln, a Sussex County town about 15 miles north of Georgetown, where the shootings occurred around 6:45 p.m. After a report of shots fired from a vehicle in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant on DuPont Highway, the two officers saw a Chrysler Sebring matching a description and pursued, according to Harris.

As the suspects got out and began to run, a single shot was fired, striking Brittingam, who was getting out of the patrol car, and killing Spicer before he could get out of the cruiser.

Reeves is described as about 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about his location is asked to call Troop 4 at 1-302-856-5850, Crime Stoppers at-1-800-847-3333.

Anyone needing immediate assistance should call 911.

The names of the two in custody were being withheld.

Copyright 2009 Philadelphia Inquirer