Nicole “Nikki” Shaw, a 55-year-old White woman from Wilmington, Delaware, was killed on July 2, 2016, in what police determined was a murder-suicide involving her former husband, Walter Shaw. The shooting unfolded at Nicole's home on the 200 block of Chestnut Avenue in the Gordon Heights area of New Castle County. Authorities said the violence began at approximately 9 a.m., when Walter, who was 53, went to Nicole's residence.
The former couple had been divorced for about 13 years by the time of the incident.
Investigators determined that a confrontation took place inside Nicole's home after Walter arrived. At some point during the encounter, Nicole attempted to escape, fleeing through the back door of the residence. Walter followed her outside. The confrontation then moved into the side yard, where Walter shot Nicole. Responding police officers later found both Nicole and Walter suffering from gunshot wounds in the yard.
Nicole was pronounced dead at the scene. Walter was still alive when emergency personnel arrived and was transported to a local hospital, but he later died from his injuries. Police concluded that after shooting Nicole, Walter turned the gun on himself. The deaths were therefore investigated and publicly identified as a murder-suicide rather than as a homicide involving an unidentified or fleeing offender.
Because Walter Shaw died from the self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after the killing, there was no arrest, criminal prosecution, trial, or conviction in Nicole's death. He was identified by investigators as the person responsible for shooting her, but his death prevented authorities from bringing homicide or weapons charges against him through the courts. Available reporting does not identify any additional suspects, accomplices, or other people sought in connection with the killing.
Nicole had deep ties to the Wilmington and Claymont area. She attended Claymont High School, where she developed friendships that continued throughout her life. She later spent 37 years working for Acme Supermarkets and became a front-end supervisor. Outside of work, she was remembered for spending time with family and friends, caring for her gardens and flowers, and reading magazines. She was survived by her daughter, Taylor, her mother, Edith Markowski, her sister, Donna Leslie-Pulak, and other relatives. She had previously endured the death of her son, PFC Jonathan Edward, as well as other close family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Nicole on July 11, 2016, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Claymont, followed by a private burial. The circumstances of her death left no unresolved manhunt or criminal case: police identified Walter Shaw as the shooter and determined that he killed Nicole before fatally shooting himself.
