NEW CASTLE, DE — Delaware State Police have arrested a 15-year-old Wilmington male in connection with a January shooting outside a New Castle convenience store that sent bullets into parked vehicles but left no one injured.
Troopers were called to the Wawa at 4000 North Dupont Highway at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 13 after reports of shots fired in the parking lot. According to police, a preliminary investigation determined that two men arrived at the store, parked, and went inside. When they exited, they encountered a group of three men, and a confrontation allegedly occurred for reasons that remain unclear.
Police said the two men initially returned to their vehicle but later came back to the store looking for the three individuals. Both groups eventually located one another in the parking lot, where multiple shots were fired, investigators allege. All involved parties fled the scene immediately following the gunfire.
Authorities reported no injuries, but two vehicles in the parking lot were struck by gunfire.
Following an investigation by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit, detectives identified a 15-year-old male as one of the alleged shooters. On February 2, the teenager was apprehended in Newark and transported to Troop 2.
Police said the juvenile was charged with possession of a firearm by a person under 18, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, two counts of reckless endangering in the first degree, and possession of a deadly weapon by a person prohibited adjudicated delinquent. He was arraigned by the New Castle County Family Court and committed to the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families on $102,000 cash bond.
The investigation remains active. Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
All charges are allegations. The juvenile is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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