Delaware
Family of Camay Mitchell De Silva, Delaware State shooting victim, speaks out:
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – Four days after the unthinkable happened, the family of Camay Mitchell De Silva came together to speak out.
The 18-year-old Concord High School graduate died after she was shot on the campus of Delaware State University early Sunday morning.
“In 18 years of her life, she gave us a lot,” her grandfather Martin De Silva said.
Her family said she was a light in this world dimmed much too soon.
“We want to see her come through that door. Reality is that she’s not,” Martin De Silva said.
“Camay was my first born and honestly my best friend,” her mother Shanelle De Silva said.
Diligent, funny and at times feisty – Camay Mitchell De Silva’s mother, grandfather and aunt are holding tight onto memories of the person they affectionately called “May May.”
“We also called her ‘Auntie May’ because she took care of all the little ones,” her aunt Charlotte De Silva Davis added. Shanelle De Silva said she called her daughter, “Lady Bug.”
Sitting in the living room of their Wilmington home, the family was still trying to process what happened over the weekend. Together they shared pieces of Camay Mitchell De Silva’s life, their hope for justice and how they plan on carrying on her legacy.
“Camay never ceased to impress me. Like my family said, reading young, walking, talking, just everything she did, she did it early and maybe that was just a way to know she wasn’t going to be here as long as we wanted her to be here,” Shanelle De Silva said about her daughter.
Camay Mitchell De Silva’s family said she was at DSU visiting her best friend when the shooting happened. The plan for her was to enroll at the school this fall with dreams of one day working in the cybersecurity world.
“I wish she would’ve made it that day. She could’ve come home and tell me another one of her stories,” Charlotte De Silva Davis said through tears.
Since the beginning of the investigation, Dover police said the 18-year-old was an innocent bystander. On Thursday, the department said it is “still making good progress” in the investigation.
Her loved ones are praying justice comes soon.
“You just took someone that had nothing to do with what you had going on, so anybody who knows anything, the person who did this, just please come forward,” Shanelle De Silva said.
Standing alongside the family was Bishop Jeffery Broughton Sr., who said he is spiritual support for the family.
“This is a seat that no one wants to sit in. To see the pain, to see the sorrow,” Broughton said. “Let’s stop the violence. Let’s not cause another Camay to be in another family, but let’s all stand up, let’s say something and if you know something, please reach out to the authorities and let them know.”
Her mother said Camay was a cheerleader who excelled in school. The family also remembers her as a “techie,” often fixing whatever was broken in the house, such as a remote or a computer.
“You’d think she made the device,” her grandfather said.
Family was most important to Camay, though. It was part of the reason she came back home after briefly attending Morgan State University in Baltimore.
The family sat down for dinner together every Sunday. They just didn’t know her last one would be so soon.
“She came in the kitchen and she said, ‘Bye Nini, I love you!’ and she kissed me on the cheek and it was a different goodbye,” Charlotte De Silva Davis said. That moment was on April 14 – a week before her death.
It was easy to see just how loved Camay Mitchell De Silva was. On Wednesday night, at least 100 people came together for a vigil. Together they released balloons into the area and set up a candle memorial spelling out her name.
Plans are still coming together for Camay Mitchell De Silva’s services. Her family said it will be New Jersey because she was born there and spent part of her childhood there. They said it was a place she simply loved.
“This family, together we’re going to build something that will let the world know her or care to know about her because we want her name to live on,” Martin De Silva said. He later added, “We’re going to make sure that name becomes endless.”
Delaware
Delaware County Sheriff's Office investigating murder-suicide involving mother and two children
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office reported they found an abandoned vehicle with a deceased woman and two children inside on the morning of Nov 23.
The Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle was found near Highway 85 and East 340 Road.
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
They said a preliminary investigation identified the woman as Alisia Pena of Tulsa and two children belonging to her. Both children are under the age of ten.
The Sheriff’s Office said it believes the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide on the part of the mother, but the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
2 News is working to learn more and will update this story as we learn more.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere —
31,000 LED lights and Christmas carols invite holiday cheer
Middletown resident Manny Duarte talks about the annual 31,000 LED lights display he mounts in his front yard to celebrate the Christmas season.
Benjamin Chambers, Delaware News Journal
From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.
Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.
Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:
Longwood Gardens
Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”
The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.
Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.
Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Website: longwoodgardens.org
Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.
The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.
You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.
Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware
Website: winterthur.org/
Holidays at Hagley
Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.
The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.
The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.
Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware
Website: hagley.org/
Drone show at the Riverfront
The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.
The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.
Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware
Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show
Shady Brook Farm
If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.
You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.
The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.
Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania
Website: shadybrookfarm.com
Gift of Lights Dover
The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.
Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.
Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware
Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover
The Brandywine Railroad
Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.
The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.
The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.
Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
Website: brandywine.org/museum
Holiday Lights Express
Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.
The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.
For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.
Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware
Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights
NOËL at Nemours Estate
Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.
The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.
The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.
Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware
Website: nemoursestate.org
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.
N. Scott Trimble
High School football 2024 Class D playoffs: Dolgeville vs. Delaware Academy
Fresh Brothers pizza chain expanding beyond Southern California after sale to Craveworthy Brands
All of your questions about the 'Wicked' movie, answered
Need a creative alternative to Black Friday? Look to L.A.'s museum stores
A fateful night in Monterey: Drinking, conservative banter, sexual assault allegations involving Pete Hegseth
Prep basketball roundup: Ontario Christian girls knock off defending state champion Etiwanda
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Thousands march across Europe protesting violence against women
Fred Harris, former Democratic U.S. senator and presidential candidate, dies at 94
Ric Grenell under consideration to be Trump's point man on Ukraine: report
More than 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza in 48 hours
Winter storms sweep across the U.S. while a new system is expected for Thanksgiving
-
Business7 days agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
Science4 days agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Politics6 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology5 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
-
Lifestyle6 days agoSome in the U.S. farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs
-
World6 days agoProtesters in Slovakia rally against Robert Fico’s populist government
-
News6 days agoThey disagree about a lot, but these singers figure out how to stay in harmony
-
News6 days agoGaetz-gate: Navigating the President-elect's most baffling Cabinet pick