Introduction to the Incident
A Georgia man who allegedly left an inoperable chemical weapon outside a Manhattan police precinct has been indicted in New York, an incident that helped authorities solve a two-year-old murder in his home state, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Delano Hill, 20, of Suwanee, Georgia, after his arrest on March 25
Photo by Gwinnett County Police Department/X
Hill is facing charges of attempted criminal possession of a chemical or biological weapon, placing a false bomb or hazardous substance, and falsely reporting an incident, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said.
The Incident Unfolds
According to the DA, Hill allegedly placed a plastic bottle at the entrance of the NYPD’s 6th Precinct at 233 West 10th St. in Greenwich Village on Dec. 19, 2024, accompanied by a note claiming the bottle contained chlorine gas. The note also referenced the stabbing of a man named “Mr. Jones” in Suwanee and warned of a second device at Yeager International Airport in West Virginia.
Authorities said the airport was searched, and no device was found.
The city Department of Environmental Protection analyzed the bottle and found that it contained vinegar and bleach — the combination of which can produce chlorine gas — at non-toxic levels, prosecutors said.
Reaction from Authorities
“We have no tolerance for anyone who threatens or puts members of law enforcement in harm’s way. The defendant’s actions against the NYPD are unacceptable, and we will continue to pursue accountability in this matter,” said DA Bragg in a statement announcing Hill’s indictment. “I want to thank the NYPD and our law enforcement partners in Georgia for an outstanding and collaborative investigation that has led to significant charges in both states.”
Georgia Cold Case Murder Connection
The NYPD alerted law enforcement in Georgia about the strange note referencing a man named “Mr. Jones.” That tip turned out to be the break police needed in a 2022 unsolved homicide in Suwanee, Georgia, where 44-year-old Matthew Jones had been found stabbed outside his home on Sept. 4, 2022.
Subsequent searches of Hill’s residence in Suwanee uncovered a 24-page document that reportedly described both the attempted chemical attack in New York and the Georgia murder. Hill was arrested in March and indicted in Gwinnett County in June 2025 on murder and related charges.
Investigation Details
According to local media reports, during the preliminary hearing in April, detectives testified about Hill’s written confession and a manifesto recovered from his home, which detailed the stabbing and a separate plan to carry out a chemical attack in New York.
Investigators told the court that Hill admitted in the manifesto to stabbing Jones while believing he was targeting someone else in retaliation for an alleged assault on a schoolmate, but later realized that Jones had not been the intended victim.
The lead detective told the court that Matthew Jones was found on his front lawn with four stab wounds: one behind his left ear, one under his chin, one near the heart, and one in the lower abdomen. Hill allegedly provided detailed information about the victim, the scene, and the stab wounds that had not been made public, which helped investigators link him to the crime.
Detectives also testified that Hill’s digital footprint—including surveillance footage, phone records, a New York MetroCard, and YouTube activity under the alias “Dog Tags”—corroborated his confession. A note found at the Georgia crime scene with the phrase “The Dog Tags was here” further connected Hill to the stabbing.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies across states. The attempted chemical attack in New York led to the solving of a cold case murder in Georgia, demonstrating how critical it is for law enforcement to share information and work together. The case also underscores the gravity of threats against law enforcement and the public, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive action against such threats.
FAQs
Q: What were the charges against Delano Hill?
A: Delano Hill was charged with attempted criminal possession of a chemical or biological weapon, placing a false bomb or hazardous substance, and falsely reporting an incident.
Q: What was the content of the bottle left at the NYPD’s 6th Precinct?
A: The bottle contained vinegar and bleach, which can produce chlorine gas, but at non-toxic levels.
Q: How did the incident in New York help solve the cold case in Georgia?
A: The note referencing a man named “Mr. Jones” led the NYPD to alert law enforcement in Georgia, which helped solve the 2022 unsolved homicide of Matthew Jones.
Q: What evidence linked Delano Hill to the murder in Georgia?
A: A 24-page document describing the attempted chemical attack and the Georgia murder, Hill’s written confession, and his digital footprint, including surveillance footage and a note at the crime scene, linked him to the crime.
Q: What is the current status of Delano Hill?
A: Delano Hill was arrested in March and indicted in Gwinnett County in June 2025 on murder and related charges. It is unclear when he will be extradited to NYC for arraignment.
