DOVER, DEL. — The Dover Police Department has ruled Sunday afternoons homicide that occurred on South Kirkwood Street an act of self-defense.
The incident took place at approximately 4:16PM, when 33-year-old Yusif Lamb, of Montclair, New Jersey died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.
Within hours of the shooting, detectives developed Shamarr Willingham (32) as being involved in the shooting death of Lamb, and originally obtained warrants for Willingham for Reckless Endangering 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
The investigation revealed that Lamb had intentions of confronting Willingham in regards to a dispute involving a woman who Lamb previously had a relationship with. Lamb made physically-threatening statements to Willingham in person and on social media leading up to Sunday’s shooting, according to police.
Police say that Lamb was driven to Willingham’s residence on South Kirkwood Street in the red Jeep Commander previously released by police as a suspect vehicle along with at least one other vehicle. Lamb, along with several other people, exited the vehicles that arrived. Willingham, who was in front of his residence, was confronted by Lamb and the other suspects.
Lamb and Willingham exchanged words briefly at which time Lamb pointed a handgun at Willingham. Willingham, fearing for his life, used a handgun that was legally purchased and registered to him, to fire at Yusif Lamb, striking him once in the chest. Willingham fled northbound on Kirkwood Street as the suspects continued to fire at him. When Dover Police officers first arrived on scene, they found Lamb lying on the ground near Willingham’s residence with a handgun lying next to him.
After securing the weapon, officers immediately rendered first aid and CPR on Lamb, who was later pronounced dead at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital.
Willingham responded to the Dover Police Department, accompanied by an attorney, on the afternoon of August 25th and has been completely cooperative throughout the investigation. After examining the evidence, witness statements, and discussing the details of the incident, the Dover Police Department and Kent County Office of the Attorney General have dropped the charges of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony against Willingham.
The department stresses that this investigation is still ongoing. Police are now seeking the suspects and vehicles that accompanied Lamb to the confrontation and are working numerous leads at this time. The department will issue a release providing further details of those suspects as they develop. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111 or call the Delaware Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-Tip-3333 or go online at www.tipsubmit.com.
