The Delaware State Police have arrested five local people in connection with the shooting of a New York man at the I-95 Service Center in Newark.
Officials said they have taken a 16-year-old female from Newark, a 17-year-old female from New Castle, and Trajuan Wilmot, Bryson Ridgley, and Miguel Matthews, all 18 and from Elkton, Maryland.
All face robbery and assault charges stemming from a shooting investigation that occurred last month in Newark. During the investigation, detectives also arrested 45-year-old Orenzo Charles of Goshen, New York, for felony drug offenses.
On December 1, 2024, at approximately 7:00 a.m., troopers responded to a reported shooting at 530 John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway in Newark. Upon arriving, troopers found a man lying on the ground in the parking lot outside of Starbucks. The victim, identified as Orenzo Charles, was transported to an area hospital by EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the preliminary investigation showed that Charles was approached by multiple unknown suspects in a white sedan while he was stopped at the service center. The suspects and Charles discussed drugs, during which Charles retrieved a bag containing marijuana from his vehicle police said Wednesday.
Police said one of the suspects then grabbed the bag through their vehicle’s window, and a struggle for the bag occurred as the suspect vehicle attempted to drive away. During the struggle, one of the suspects fired shots from a firearm, one of which struck Charles police said. After the shooting, the suspect vehicle fled in an unknown direction with the bag.
Troopers said with the assistance of out-of-state law enforcement agencies, Troop 2 Robbery Detectives identified the suspects involved in the shooting and obtained warrants for their arrests. During the investigation, detectives also obtained a warrant for Charles’ arrest after they executed a search warrant on his vehicle and found approximately 265.59 grams of marijuana according to police. All of the suspects were ultimately taken into custody on separate dates throughout the investigation and were each charged with multiple crimes.
On December 10, 2024, Charles (L) turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance (felony) and possession of a controlled substance in a tier 1 quantity (felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.
On December 12, 2024, the 17-year-old female was taken into custody by detectives in Wilmington. She was transported to Troop 2, charged with assault 1st degree (felony), robbery 1st degree (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony), and conspiracy 2nd degree (felony). She was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and committed to the New Castle County Detention Center on a $182,000 cash bond.
On December 16, 2024, the 16-year-old female turned herself in at Troop 2, where she was charged with assault 1st degree (felony), robbery 1st degree (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony), and conspiracy 2nd degree (felony). She was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released to a guardian after posting a $62,000 secured bond.
On December 16, 2024, Wilmot (L -Center) was taken into custody in Maryland by the Elkton Police Department. On December 18, 2024, Wilmot was extradited to Delaware and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with assault 1st degree (felony), robbery 1st degree (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony), and conspiracy 2nd degree (felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $182,000 cash bond.
On December 16, 2024, Ridgley (R-Center) was taken into custody in Maryland by the Elkton Police Department. On December 18, 2024, Ridgley was extradited to Delaware and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with assault 1st degree (felony), robbery 1st degree (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony), and conspiracy 2nd degree (felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $182,000 cash bond.
On January 17, 2025, Matthews (R) was charged with assault 1st degree (felony), robbery 1st degree (felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony), and conspiracy 2nd degree (felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $77,000 cash bond.