The Laurel Police Department has charged a suspect in connection with a shooting that took place at the Carvel Gardens Apartment Complex last month.
Officials said on Sunday morning, February 11th, 2024 at approximately 2:00 officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of Daniel Street for shots fired.
Upon their arrival, a large number of people were observed filing out of an apartment and fleeing to their vehicles or on foot. When making contact with the apartment lessee it was discovered that three people had been struck by the gunfire.
Victim 1: 17-year-old male being treated for two gunshot wounds listed in serious but stable condition
Victim 2: 18-year-old female sustained a graze wound, was treated and released on-scene
Victim 3: 26-year-old female being treated for seven gunshot wounds listed in serious but stable condition
As officers were arriving on scene a vehicle was observed leaving the immediate area and refused to stop at the command of the officers. A pursuit was initiated by Laurel Police which ended with the assistance of Seaford Police utilizing Stop Sticks on that vehicle; several subjects were taken into custody without incident. Those subjects were questioned and then later released.
With the assistance of the Delaware State Police the scene was secured and rendered safe to process. Laurel PD Detectives and DSP Evidence Detection Unit (EDU) processed the scene; to discover over 50 spent casings from various types of firearms were located inside and around the area.
Following an appeal to the public via social media for assistance in identifying the individuals involved, a warrant was issued on February 23, 2024, for the arrest of 22-year-old Branson Daniels, a resident of Laurel, Delaware.
Daniels was arrested on March 27, 2024, at a motel in Ocean City, Maryland, by the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force. He is currently being held in Maryland awaiting extradition to Delaware, where he will face numerous felony and misdemeanor charges.
The Laurel Police Department expressed its gratitude to the law enforcement partners in both Delaware and Maryland, the United States Marshal Service, and the community members who provided valuable information leading to Daniels’s arrest. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with further information about the incident to come forward and contact the Laurel Police Department.