State and local authorities said they investigated separate shootings on Sunday that wounded three people.

The first alleged incident occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. in Lincoln when a handgun discharged while a son was handing it to his mother who was leaning out a living room window in the 21000 block of West Mayhew Drive in Cedar Hill Estates.

Delaware State Police spokesman Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said a bullet went through an exterior wall on a Lincoln residence and struck a 23-year-old-month male in the leg, and then hit his 24-year-old uncle standing behind him in the living room.

According to police, investigation found that the incident may have been accidental and included that “although with any case, the investigation is ongoing.”

Juan J. Shirey

Police said Juan J. Shirey allegedly was seen standing outside the house when his mother saw him holding a handgun and attempted to get it from him “due to some recent drug and weapons charges.”

Mr. Shirey’s mother and three children ranging from 6 months to 7 years old were in the living room during the incident but not hurt, police said.

According to authorities, the wounded child and adult male were taken to Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital by a personal vehicle; the adult was treated and released after a bullet was removed from his hand, while the child was later flown to Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington where he was admitted in good condition.

Police were notified of the alleged incident via a 911 call from a person in the house, Cpl. Fournier said.

Mr. Shirey lives at the scene of the alleged shooting, police said. He was taken into custody there without incident and charged with first- and second-degree assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and six counts of first-degree reckless endangering.

He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 3 and held at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown in lieu of $140,000 cash bond, police said.

Police said detectives located a .45 caliber handgun at the scene. The weapon was seized and placed into evidence pending trial, Cpl. Fournier said.

According to police, Mr. Shirey was stopped in the Oak Orchard area on July 22 for an alleged traffic violation.

“He was suspended from driving and upon conducting a search of the vehicle, a handgun and 303 bags of heroin (4.545 grams) were located along with over $5,500 in suspected drug proceeds,” Cpl. Fournier alleged.

Mr. Shirey was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a person prohibited who also possesses a controlled substance (heroin), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Smyrna incident

Later Sunday, at approximately 9:04 p.m., police said a person was shot during an apparent failed robbery attempt in the Sunnyside Acres development in Smyrna. The incident began with an altercation at a residence in the 100 block of Belmont Avenue, according to Smyrna Police Department spokesman Cpl. Brandon Dunning.

Citing the nature of the ongoing investigation, Smyrna police released few details, and did not provide the wounded person’s condition or any description of the suspect. Anyone with informations is asked to call the Smyrna Police Department at 653-9217.

“As the investigation continues we will update this information as soon as practicable,” Cpl. Dunning said.