A Statement from Mayor John Carney on the Police Involved Shooting

WILMINGTON - Mayor John Carney on Monday issued the following statement regarding the police involved shooting on June 24, 2026:

City and State investigations continue into the fatal officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of a 19-year-old Wilmington resident, Kadir Skinner. I want to express my deepest condolences to the young man's family, friends and loved ones. No matter the circumstances, the loss of a young life is a tragedy, and our hearts are with everyone who is grieving.

I recognize that incidents like this affect our entire community. They raise difficult questions, evoke strong emotions, and understandably leave many residents seeking answers. Those answers must come through a thorough, independent, and transparent investigative process.

As required by state law and policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, and this incident is being investigated by the Delaware Department of Justice. At the same time, the Wilmington Police Department is conducting two separate investigations, also as required by law and department policy. One investigation is to determine whether there was a violation of the law; the other is to determine whether there was a violation of internal policy.

Because these investigations are active and ongoing, and we do not know all the facts, neither I nor members of my administration will comment on the incident or speculate about what occurred. It is essential that investigators be allowed to conduct their work without interference or prejudice.

But the reality is our city continues to face challenges, and public safety can only be achieved through community trust. They are not competing priorities - they must go hand in hand.

I ask everyone for your cooperation and to allow the investigative process to move forward with patience and respect. I also ask residents and business owners who live near the shooting to share information and recorded video with law enforcement. This is essential to helping investigators as they review existing footage and recordings. We owe that to the family of the deceased, to all parties involved, and to every member of our community who deserves confidence that these investigations will be conducted fairly, professionally, and without bias.

When the investigative process allows, additional information will be released consistent with the law and with the interests of justice. Until then, we ask for understanding as we fulfill our legal obligations.

Wilmington is a resilient city. We have faced difficult moments before, and we will continue working together to build a safer community where fewer families experience the heartbreak of violence in any form.

###