Ellendale, DE – The Delaware State Police have arrested 24-year-old John T. Shorts for aggravated menacing and related charges. The incident occurred on May 14, 2020 at approximately 4:33 p.m., when Troopers were dispatched to a residence in the 18000 block of S. Old State Road, Ellendale, for a report of a domestic incident involving a weapon. Upon arrival, Troopers met with a 39-year-old resident who advised that he and his son had engaged in a verbal argument after the father discovered that his son, John Shorts, had a handgun that was left unsecured in the front seat of Short’s vehicle. The argument proceeded to turn physical, when Shorts retrieved the handgun from his vehicle and pointed it at his father while threatening to kill him. Shorts fled the residence in his vehicle prior to police arrival. The victim did not sustain injury as a result of this incident.
Shorts was later located at the Milford Perdue Plant and taken into custody without incident. He was transported back to Troop 7 where he was charged with the following:
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
- Terroristic Threatening
- Offensive Touching
Shorts was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and released on $22000.00 unsecured bond.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us.
