CAMDEN, Del. — A Delaware man arrested after a vehicle pursuit that crossed into Maryland and involved allegations of domestic violence was found dead inside a holding cell at a Delaware State Police barracks, prompting multiple investigations into the incident.
The Delaware State Police and the Delaware Department of Justice announced they are investigating an in-custody suicide that occurred at Delaware State Police Troop 3 in Camden.
According to investigators, troopers responded at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, to a residence on Misty Way in Hartly for a reported domestic assault.
Before officers arrived, they learned that the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Shane Mullen of Hartly, had left the residence in his girlfriend’s vehicle.
Police said Mullen was already wanted on an active felony domestic violence warrant stemming from a separate incident reported at the same residence on May 22. Troopers also received information that he had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend prior to leaving the scene.
As troopers searched for the vehicle, the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit located it, leading to a pursuit that crossed into Maryland before returning to Delaware.
The pursuit ended back at the residence on Misty Way, where Mullen initially refused commands to exit the vehicle, according to police.
When he eventually exited, authorities said he continued to resist troopers’ commands. A Delaware State Police K-9 was deployed during the arrest, and police said Mullen assaulted the police dog before being taken into custody.
Mullen was transported to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation of injuries sustained during the canine apprehension. After being released from the hospital on Wednesday morning, May 28, he was transported to Troop 3 for processing.
Police charged Mullen with:
- Fifth-Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony)
- Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence (Felony)
- Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal (Felony)
- Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
- Assault Second Degree on a Law Enforcement Animal
- Offensive Touching
- Two counts of Breach of Release
- Multiple traffic offenses
In connection with the earlier May 22 incident, Mullen was also charged with:
- Strangulation (Felony)
- Assault Third Degree
- Breach of Release
According to Delaware State Police, surveillance video later showed Mullen alone in a temporary holding cell using a shoelace to hang himself.
Troopers discovered Mullen and immediately began lifesaving efforts, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Because the death occurred while Mullen was in police custody, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit assumed the investigation alongside the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.
Following completion of the criminal investigation, the Delaware State Police Office of Professional Responsibility will conduct an internal review of the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Key Points
- Shane Mullen, 49, was arrested after a pursuit that crossed from Delaware into Maryland and back
- Police say he faced multiple felony charges, including strangulation, DUI, and resisting arrest
- Investigators say surveillance video showed Mullen using a shoelace to hang himself in a holding cell at Troop 3