In the early morning hours of July 11, 2006, a burst of violence on the 500 block of North Monroe Street in Wilmington, Delaware, forever altered the lives of a local family. Donminico E. Melton, a 35-year-old Black / African American man, was caught in the gunfire that erupted at approximately 12:30 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered three people suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders rushed Melton, affectionately known as "Coco," to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal.
Donminico was known as a fun-loving person who enjoyed fishing, playing board games, and riding his bike. He was a devoted father who took pleasure in attending his children's track meets and football games. His sudden death left behind his parents, children, sisters, and a large extended family, along with his lifelong companion. The community remembered him as a spirited individual with an infectious smile, and his death highlighted the persistent issue of violent crime in the area.
Years have passed since that tragic night, but the case of Donminico Melton's murder remains unsolved. The investigation is now in the hands of the Wilmington Police Department's Cold Case Unit. To date, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The quest for justice continues, driven by the hope that new information will emerge and finally bring closure to his grieving family and friends.
