Thaddeus Blackman, a 35-year-old African American male, was fatally shot on May 9, 2023, in Wilmington, Delaware. The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. in the Brandywine Village neighborhood, specifically on the first block of Gordon Street. Wilmington police responded to reports of gunfire and found Blackman critically wounded at the scene. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
His death marked the fourth fatal shooting in Wilmington for the year at that time.
The investigation into the shooting continued for several months until a breakthrough led to the arrest and conviction of Kevin Berry, a 34-year-old male. Berry, who had previously been acquitted in the Vaughn prison riot trial, was found guilty of murdering Thaddeus Blackman. In August 2024, Berry was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 10 years for the crime. The court proceedings revealed that Berry was responsible for the fatal shooting, though further details about the motive or circumstances surrounding the murder were not publicly disclosed.
The case drew attention due to Berry's prior legal history and the violent nature of the crime. Authorities emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving such cases and encouraged anyone with information to come forward during the investigation. The conviction brought some closure to the tragic death of Thaddeus Blackman, a 35-year-old African American male whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
