Yesterday, at about 1:08 pm, Newark Police School Resource Officers (“SRO”) assigned to Newark High School became aware of a disturbance in the building where there was a report that subjects were trying to enter the school through an entrance other than the main entrance.
While investigating that report, the SROs became aware that there may be a subject in the school armed with a firearm. School officials locked down the school while additional Newark Police Officers responded to the school to assist in the investigation.
During the investigation, officers learned the identity of the reportedly armed suspect and determined that he was a student at the school. Further investigation determined that the subject had likely fled the building. School officials were able to dismiss students at normal times in a staggered manner to limit the number of students in the halls at one time.
Newark Police went to the suspect’s Newark residence. Based upon evidence and witness statements at the scene, officers determined that a shooting had just occurred outside that residence. The victim of that shooting left the scene in a private vehicle and abandoned that private vehicle on Possum Park Road, where a passerby picked up that victim and drove him to an area hospital for treatment. This shooting occurred in an area of Newark within New Castle County Police jurisdiction. The New Castle County Division of Police assumed that the investigation. County Police have not released details surrounding the shooting or if charges are pending.
While Newark Police were on scene at the suspect’s residence, they contacted the suspect. He was found to be suffering from a medical incident unrelated to the shooting and was subsequently transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Newark Police Detectives assumed the investigation into the initial report of the suspect with a gun at Newark High School. Detectives determined that a female student approached another student, determined to be the victim in this case. The female student tried to get the victim to exit the building to fight the suspect. The suspect then approached the victim and pulled up his sweatshirt, displaying a handgun in his waistband, while threatening harm to the victim, according to police.
Newark Police Detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and located a handgun.
Upon his release from the hospital, the suspect, a 16-year-old male from Newark, was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with:
Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Juvenile
Aggravated Menacing
Terroristic Threatening
The suspect appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was ordered to be held in default of $16,000 cash bail. He was turned over to the custody of the New Castle County Detention Center in Wilmington.
Questions as to the student status of anyone involved in this incident should be directed to the Christina School District.
Breaking Report
Several Police agencies are investigating four separate crime scenes that are believed to be connected.
Earlier today Newark High School was placed on lockdown after there were reports that a student was possibly armed in the school. As the lockdown was underway multiple parents contacted FSU reporting that their children were on a code-red lockdown. Multiple officers responded to the school and found that it was likely that the student had left the school.
As officers cleared the school additional officers responded to a home on Andries Road, off of Red Mill Road. Initial reports indicate that there may have been a shooting victim in the area of the home.
Police also responded to Possum Park Road where they found a vehicle with at least 10 bullet holes in it. Police are also on scene at a fourth crime scene at an area hospital. Initial reports also indicate that a person was injured by gunfire and responded to the hospital.
All four crime scenes are believed to be connected, however, police have not confirmed that information just yet.
Newark Police said in an update that Newark High School dismissal was complete. They also confirmed that the student who was being sought has been located and is in custody.