Gunshots Fired Twice as Students Begin School Year

By: Kristen Griffith (Whetstone)

A Dover man was shot and killed by another Dover man in self-defense about three blocks from campus and the night before Wesley College’s fall semester began.

Three days later the College went on lockdown when more shots were fired on Kirkwood and Division streets.

Yusif Lamb was shot and killed by Shamarr Willingham Aug. 24. Willingham was not charged by police, who said he fired in self-defense.

Police said Willingham, 32, received several threats from the 33-year-old Lamb before the shooting. Lamb pulled a gun on Willingham first. Willingham fired his registered handgun in self-defense, hitting Lamb once in the chest.

“The investigation revealed that Yusif Lamb had intentions of confronting Willingham in regards to a dispute involving a woman who Lamb previously had a relationship with,” said Walt Beaupre, director of safety and community.

Wesley’s student and staff were alerted 20 minutes after gunshots were heard. Everyone was told to avoid the area of the shooting, near the athletic fields.

Willingham turned himself in to the police.

Three days later, Aug. 27, a security alert reported a shooting at Kirkwood and Division streets.

Police said they are still investigating the Aug. 27 shooting. No one has been caught.

Beaupre described the suspect as a 6-foot-2-inch dark-skinned black man, dressed in blue jeans and a two-toned brown sweatshirt, wearing a white-gray mustache.

“I have full confidence that the police will arrest him,” Beaupre said.

Wesley student and staff were advised to stay indoors about 10 a.m. the morning of the shooting while Dover police searched for the suspect. Some students were unable to make it to class or go back to their rooms.

“This is my 24^th year teaching at Wesley, and this is the first time we have ever locked the campus down because of an event like that,” said Dr. Jeffrey Mask, professor of religion and philosophy.

Freshman Jaevon Holland and sophomore Greg Taylor saw the lockdown as just another day.

“The lockdown was too long,” Holland said.

“I’m a sophomore here now so I’m used to it,” Taylor said.

Mask also said he was not worried about the shooting.

“Obviously, it is something that needs to be taken seriously, but it was several blocks away and I was comfortably in my office,” Mask said. “I just don’t worry about things I can’t control.”

Despite some burglaries, vandalism and noise complaints, Mask said the community around Wesley College campus is relatively quiet and safe.

He said he didn’t think the lockdown was necessary, but was pleased it was done.

“It’s better to take extra precaution than not to take enough precaution,” he said.

Freshman Alyssa John said it was frightening.

“I was kind of scared just because where I come from that doesn’t happen,” she said.

John was unclear about where the shooting took place because she is not familiar with the area.

Freshman Kaitlin Forestieri said she saw the body of the man who was shot and killed Aug. 24.

She was crossing Kirkwood Street on her way to Goodwill with a group of friends.

“We looked down Kirkwood Street and the body was still in the road covered by a white sheet,” Forestieri said. “It was really shocking.”

Forestieri was surprised at how quickly the next shooting occurred.

“I didn’t think Dover was a bad area like that,” she said.

Forestieri said she feels safe on campus but said she will think twice about walking anywhere.

“My mom is a little worried but she is pretty understanding about certain things,” she said.

Beaupre said the faculty and staff did a good job keeping everyone indoors during the lockdown.

“For the most part the students were very cooperative and understanding of the situation,” he said.

John witnessed students sneaking out of Slaybaugh Hall during the lockdown.

“We need firmer security at the door,” she said. “There was at least a dozen people that left.”

Although many students and faculty said they believed the shootings were connected, Beaupre said police confirmed there was no connection.