New Castle County police have charged two juveniles in connection with the July 22 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Mateo Renato Banegas in New Castle, while authorities continue to search for a third suspect.
At approximately 3:58 p.m. that day, officers responded to Wilton Boulevard and Stonebridge Boulevard for reports of gunfire. Banegas was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Following an investigation, detectives with the Division’s Criminal Investigations Unit identified three suspects: a 16-year-old male from Bear, a 17-year-old male from New Castle, and 19-year-old Mehki Wilson of Elkton, Maryland. The 16-year-old was taken into custody on July 25 and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, three counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, conspiracy, and reckless endangering. The 17-year-old was arrested on August 7 and faces the same charges, with an additional count of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. Both juveniles were arraigned in New Castle County Family Court and remain held at the New Castle County Detention Center on over a million dollars cash bail.
Warrants remain active for Wilson, who faces charges including first-degree murder. He is known to have ties to New Castle and Elkton. The Division’s Fugitive Apprehension & Surveillance Team, working with the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, is seeking the public’s help in locating him. Both the FBI Task Force and Delaware Crime Stoppers are offering rewards of up to $5,000 each for information leading to Wilson’s arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to contact New Castle County Police or submit tips anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers.
