New Castle County Police reported that two juveniles have been charged following an incident at the Brookside Shopping Center in Newark in which a victim was struck in the face with a projectile.
Officers responded to the unit block of Marrows Road at approximately 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, after receiving a report that an individual had been hit by what was initially believed to be a paintball. Responding officers obtained descriptions of two suspects wearing dark clothing and ski masks and broadcast the information to units in the area.
While en route, officers located two juveniles matching the descriptions near the intersection of Marrows Road and Kimberton Drive and conducted an investigative stop. During the encounter, officers recovered a gel blaster toy gun and a container of gel rounds from a book bag belonging to one of the suspects.
According to police, the juveniles admitted they were walking through the area when they observed the victim standing along the side of a building. One suspect suggested shooting the victim with the gel blaster, and when asked the reason, one of the juveniles responded, “just cause.”
A 16-year-old male from Newark was charged with one count of Assault in the Third Degree and one count of Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree. A 14-year-old male from Newark was charged with one count each of Assault in the Third Degree, Reckless Endangering in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Third Degree. Both juveniles were transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released on unsecured bail.
