The Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Thomas Watson of Middletown, Delaware, for assault and associated offenses following a stabbing that occurred Wednesday night in Townsend that left one man injured.
Officials said on September 11, 2024, at approximately 10:22 p.m., troopers responded to the Valero, located at 4235 Dupont Parkway, Townsend, for a 36-year-old man injured in a stabbing incident. The preliminary investigation showed a Chrysler PT Cruiser and a Ford Ranger were initially traveling on Dupont Parkway before they both pulled into the gas station’s parking lot.
The Ford proceeded to block the PT Cruiser in a parking spot, and the driver of the Ford, later identified as Thomas Watson, got out of his vehicle and repeatedly punched the PT Cruiser according to police. After Watson broke the front driver’s side window, the driver of the PT Cruiser, identified as the 36-year-old victim, exited his vehicle, and the two men began fighting. After a couple of minutes, the victim and Watson stopped fighting and returned to their respective vehicles. As the Ford fled from the parking lot, the victim realized he was injured and was assisted by a bystander until EMS arrived.
Shortly after the assault, troopers learned the Ford was stopped on the 100 block of South Broad Street in Middletown. Upon arriving at South Broad Street, troopers located the Ford and made contact with Watson, who was subsequently taken into custody without incident. Through investigative means, troopers discovered Watson and the victim were acquaintances, which contributed to the fight at the Valero police said.
Watson was taken to Troop 2, where he was charged with Assault 2nd Degree (Felony), Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), and Criminal Mischief Under $1,000.
He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $50,000 secured bond.