A Wilmington man is facing multiple state and federal charges following a late-night arrest in a New Castle County park that led to the discovery of firearms, ammunition, and written materials detailing potential violent activity.
According to the New Castle County Police Department, patrol officers from B-Squad were conducting a property check in Canby Park West at approximately 11:47 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, when they observed a white Toyota Tacoma inside the park after closing hours. Officers initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver and sole occupant, identified as 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan of Wilmington. Police said officers developed probable cause to order Khan out of the vehicle, but he refused to comply and resisted arrest before being taken into custody.
During the initial investigation, officers reported locating a loaded .357 caliber Glock handgun, a micro conversion kit, four loaded 27-round extended magazines, a ballistic hard plate, binoculars, a laptop, and a composition notebook inside the vehicle. The truck was secured and towed to police headquarters, where a search warrant was later obtained. Investigators said additional writings were discovered in the notebook, including notes related to weapons, methods of attack, and a hand-drawn diagram referencing the University of Delaware Police Department.
In the handwritten notebook, Khan discussed additional weapons and firearms, how they could be used in an attack, and how law enforcement detection could be avoided once an attack was carried out, officials said. The notebook referenced a member of the University of Delaware’s Police Department by name, and included a layout of a building with entry and exit points under which the words “UD Police Station” were printed, according to the USDOJ.
Khan was charged by county authorities with felony possession of a large-capacity magazine, felony carrying a concealed deadly weapon, resisting arrest, failure to have insurance in possession, presence in the park after dark, expired tags, and failure to have a license in possession. He was arraigned and committed in lieu of $107,200 cash bail before being transferred to the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. Detectives from the Special Investigations Unit and Evidence Detection Unit also responded, along with agents from the FBI Baltimore Division Wilmington Resident Agency.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that Khan had been federally charged with illegally possessing a machinegun on November 26, 2025. Court documents state that a search warrant was executed on November 25 at Khan’s Wilmington residence by federal and county authorities. During that search, investigators said they recovered a Glock 19 handgun equipped with an illegal machinegun conversion device, or “switch,” a .556 rifle with a scope and red dot sight, multiple additional extended magazines, hollow-point ammunition, and a tactical vest equipped with a ballistic plate.
The criminal complaint charges Khan with possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors stated that sentencing would be determined by a U.S. District Court judge in accordance with established guidelines and statutory factors.
“This case is a quintessential example of federal and state law enforcement collaborating to neutralize a grave threat to Delaware before the worst could come to pass,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray. FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul and New Castle County Police Colonel James J. Leonard III also credited the patrol officers’ initial actions and the coordinated investigation with preventing potential violence. The investigation remains ongoing.
University of Delaware officials issued a campus-wide communication following the announcement of state and federal charges against a University of Delaware undergraduate student connected to the late-night arrest in Wilmington.
In a message distributed to students, faculty, staff, and families, Interim President Laura Carlson of the University of Delaware confirmed that the student arrested on November 24 in Wilmington is currently in police custody and is facing both state and federal charges. University leadership stated that the student has been temporarily separated from the institution and is banned from all UD campuses while the legal process moves forward. The university reported that it has been working closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation and released the information after receiving clearance to do so.
University officials said there are no known or immediate threats to the UD community at this time. However, the federal press release described evidence of a plan that referenced the University of Delaware Police Department, which the administration acknowledged as alarming. The university credited the coordinated efforts of the New Castle County Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the University of Delaware Police Department for the investigation and response.
In addressing student and community wellbeing, the university announced that the Wellbeing Center at Warner Hall will be open for walk-in support throughout the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students were encouraged to seek assistance if they feel the need to speak with someone as the situation continues to unfold. Additional support resources for faculty and staff were also made available.
UD officials reaffirmed that campus safety remains the institution’s top priority and emphasized that the University of Delaware Police Department remains staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Community members were urged to report suspicious behavior or criminal activity directly to campus police.
The message to parents and families was shared by José-Luis Riera, Vice President for Student Life, who urged families to check in with their students and to encourage use of campus resources when needed. University leadership expressed appreciation for the diligence of law enforcement and underscored the importance of vigilance and community care as the investigation continues.
