Russell Nolan Bell, 48, of Clayton, Delaware, was shot and killed on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Troopers were dispatched just after 1:00 p.m. to the 300 block of Hopewell Drive after a report someone had been shot and the shooter might still be inside the home and armed. Russell was found outside behind the residence near a horse stable with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper extremity. He received first aid, was transported to a nearby hospital, and was pronounced dead.

A 73-year-old woman at the scene was unharmed. The incident prompted a barricade-style response: nearby homes were evacuated, roads closed, and robocalls warned residents within about a one-mile radius. After attempts to make contact, troopers entered the house and found Raymond C. Bell, 45, and Heather L. Truitt, 39, both dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Police identified Raymond Bell as the shooter and described the incident as a suspected homicide-suicide; investigators had not established a motive and turned the bodies over for autopsy.

If anyone has information about Russell’s death or the events on Hopewell Drive that afternoon, please come forward to the investigating agency.