Delaware Attorney General Cleared Officer in 2023 Shooting
The investigation determined that Patrolman Cody Durham acted without criminal wrongdoing during a 2023 Newark incident.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Law Enforcement
The Delaware Attorney General has cleared New Castle County Patrolman Cody Durham of criminal wrongdoing in a 2023 shooting incident in Newark. Officials concluded that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the standoff.
Why it matters
The report concludes a three-year investigation into the shooting that left one person dead and another injured. It provides a legal determination regarding the use of force by law enforcement during a volatile domestic standoff.
Patrolman Cody Durham fired five rounds in 1.3 seconds while retreating from the suspect on Leader Drive. The 34-year-old suspect, Matthew Beblo, was later confirmed by autopsy to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The players
Cody Durham
He is a New Castle County police officer who was under investigation for his role in a 2023 shooting incident.
Matthew Beblo
The 34-year-old suspect in the incident died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during the police standoff.
Petya Novakova
She was the victim killed by the suspect during the events that preceded the police response.
Joseph Tilghman
He survived a gunshot wound sustained during the incident at the residence.
The details
Patrolman Durham approached the residence with a ballistic shield before firing five rounds at the suspect. The encounter followed the suspect's killing of Petya Novakova and the wounding of Joseph Tilghman.
Timeline
September 21, 2023: The shooting incident occurred at a residence on Leader Drive.
October 1, 2026: The attorney general released the report clearing the officer.
Legal Context
The conclusion of this case follows the standard protocols set by the Delaware Department of Justice for officer-involved shooting investigations. This report marks the end of a multi-year review process typical for assessing lethal force incidents in the jurisdiction.
The release of the attorney general report provides closure for the local community regarding the circumstances of the 2023 incident. Residents can review the findings to understand the official legal stance on the actions taken by responding officers.
The takeaway
The investigation confirms that the suspect's death was self-inflicted despite the exchange of fire with responding officers. Transparency in such reports is intended to help the public understand the legal criteria applied to law enforcement during high-stakes standoffs.
Further reading
For more on how local authorities process use-of-force investigations, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newark Post.
