Delaware State Police investigating Homicide-Suicide in Bridgeville

Bridgeville, DE – Delaware State Police have identified the individuals who died during a homicide-suicide incident Thursday night in the Bridgeville area.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021, troopers were dispatched to the 100 block of Emilys Pintail Drive for a report of a shooting. Prior to their arrival, it was determined the homeowners, the 71-year-old male victim, later identified as Peter Colletti, and his wife had returned to their residence at approximately 9:30 p.m. The female was in the first floor bathroom when she heard footsteps on the second floor, where her 58-year-old brother, later identified as Joseph Caldarera, resides. Immediately after hearing the footsteps, she heard a loud bang. When she exited the bathroom, she discovered her husband, Peter, in the family room with an apparent gunshot wound. The female ran to a neighbor’s house where police were called.

Responding officers located Peter Colletti deceased in the family room with an apparent gunshot wound. They then searched the residence and located the suspect, Joseph Caldarera, deceased upstairs in his bedroom with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Both men were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The bodies were turned over to the Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to be performed to determine the manner and cause of death.

The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit is continuing their investigation into this incident.

If anyone has any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Short at 302-741-2727. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Source: DE State Police Newsroom