A 29-year-old New Castle County man has been convicted following his arrest for an August 2024 shooting death.

On October 16, 2025, Michael R. Toombs of Claymont was convicted by a Superior Court jury on charges of Murder First Degree, Felony Murder First Degree, Robbery First Degree, and Drug Dealing, along with 4 counts of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. The guilty verdicts followed an investigation by the New Castle County Police Department and the Delaware Department of Justice.

“The defendant made a living – if you can call it that – by spreading misery and death,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “Not content just to commit murder with his own hands, he also hurt countless more in our state by dealing fentanyl. We are all fortunate as Delawareans that, through their vigilant work, the New Castle County Police Department and our Department of Justice trial team have ensured that he will spend the rest of his days unable to offend again.”

“We commend the diligent efforts of our officers, investigators, and the Delaware Department of Justice whose hard work and dedication helped bring justice to the victim and their family,” said Colonel James J. Leonard, III.

On the morning of August 23, 2024, 35-year-old Devontre Taylor agreed via phone to meet with Toombs at an apartment complex in Claymont to conduct a drug transaction; they subsequently met in-person around 10:20 am. Minutes later, Toombs shot and killed Taylor and fled back to his apartment. New Castle County Police arrested Toombs at his residence later that day, where a search revealed the handgun used to murder Taylor, hundreds of bags of fentanyl, and Taylor’s phone.

Sentencing is tentatively set for January 2026. An additional charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited was severed and will be decided at the time of sentencing.

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