California Man Shot Multiple Times During Attempted Home Invasion; Homeowner Later Arrested for Drug Dealing.

The Dover Police Department has arrested John Cook(41), of Dover, DE, for drug dealing following a home invasion that left a 46-year-old male from California critically injured. The investigation began on October 18, 2022 at 11:33 p.m. when the Delaware State Police responded to a call for shots fired in the 2400 block of Whiteoak Road and learned there was a person that had been shot several times in his upper torso in the 2700 block of Whiteoak Road. State Police Units responded and the 46-year-old male was located and transported to an area hospital for his injuries. He was later flown to a New Castle County Hospital for further treatment and was listed in critical condition.

State Police units canvassed the area for a crime scene which led them to an unoccupied residence in the 2400 block of Whiteoak Road. At the residence, they observed several shell casings and it appeared there was some type of struggle inside of the residence. At this time, Dover Police was contacted because this house is inside the City of Dover and falls within our jurisdiction. 

Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on the residence. As a result of surveillance video in the home, it was learned that the homeowner, Cook, met with the 46-year-old male from California and another male on the porch of his residence. The two men began to attack Cook who fled inside of his residence. The two men forced entry into the home, one being armed with a firearm and Cook fired a handgun several times, striking the 46-year-old California man, who then fled the scene and was later located by Delaware State Police.

As a result of the search warrant Detectives located the following items:
-Approximately 61.6 grams on fentanyl
-Approximately 3.1 grams of heroin
-5.7 Caliber ammunition
-11 illegal M class explosive devices
-various drug packaging material

Cook was located in Middletown, Delaware on the 19th and arrested. He was transported to Dover Police where he was arraigned and committed to SCI on $146,200 cash bail on the following charges:
-Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity
-Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quatity
-Possession of Ammunition by a Prohibited Person
-Possessino with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
-Possesson of Destructive Weapon
-Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The name of the 46-year-old male from California and his current location are being with held at this time to protect the integrity of this investigation. The identity of the second suspect is still unknown.  Any new information will be included in an updated news release when available.

John Cook
Dover, DE

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302)736-7130.  Callers may remain anonymous.  Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delaware.crimestoppersweb.com; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.

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