dpOne of the six people shot in downtown Newark late Saturday has been charged with possessing a gun.
The shooter remains at large, but police emphasize there is nothing to suggest an ongoing threat to public safety.
The 16-year-old Wilmington boy who was arrested was shot multiple times, authorities said. Police found him in possession of a loaded gun and charged him with possession of a firearm by a person under 21, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and breach of release. He remains hospitalized in police custody.
Lt. Greg D’Elia, a spokesman for the Newark Police Department, said the 16-year-old and the other five victims were shot by someone else, but police have not said whether they have a suspect.
D’Elia also provided an update on the other victims, as of Sunday evening:
– A 19-year-old man who was shot in the back remains hospitalized in serious condition.
– A 20-year-old man who sustained a gunshot wound to his back remains hospitalized in serious condition with a collapsed lung.
– A 21-year-old woman who sustained a graze wound to her leg was treated and released from the hospital.
– A 15-year-old boy who was shot in the back remains hospitalized in critical condition.
– A 15-year-old boy who was shot in the foot remains hospitalized in serious condition.
One of the victims, the 20-year-old with a collapsed lung, is a University of Delaware student, D’Elia said.
The shooting happened when a large crowd was gathered on the south sidewalk of Main Street, directly across from Choate Street. The shots rang out at 11:13 p.m. as Main Street and the downtown bars were crowded with costumed revelers celebrating Halloween. Video posted to social media showed a large crowd of people running from the shooting scene.
According to videos of the incident circulating on social media, multiple shots can be heard being fired. That sent hundreds of bystanders fleeing throughout Newark, leading to at least one person being struck by an oncoming car. That individual was able to walk away, according to the video.
“The investigation remains active as Newark Police detectives work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting,” D’Elia said.
He asked anyone with video of the incident to submit it to police online by clicking here. Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Det. Paige Klein at 302-366-7100, ext. 3480, or [email protected].
“If there’s anyone that has anything that they think is a lead or information, even if they think that we may already have it, it’s worthwhile going to that link and sharing anything that may be evidence-based – photos, video, any still images, anything they may have had, or just investigative stuff where they might have gotten a screenshot from the internet,” D’Elia said Sunday afternoon. “Anything helps with any case of this magnitude.”
D’Elia said “there does not appear to be an ongoing threat to public safety related to this incident.”
After the shooting, detectives could be seen examining debris on the sidewalk between Cameras Etc. and Mango Mango while others searched for evidence near cars parked along the street. Another officer flew a drone over the scene.
There was a heavy police presence throughout downtown, including officers from the Newark Police Department and several other agencies. A portion of Main Street was closed for five hours while police investigated.
D’Elia said the Newark Police Department had a number of extra officers on duty prior to the shooting, including many patrolling Main Street.
“There’s always extra officers on the weekends,” he said. “But there definitely were more officers than usual on Halloween weekend.”
The incident has unnerved a college city that rarely sees such violence – particularly in the crowded Main Street corridor.
Intentional shootings in Newark, which has its own city police department along with the University of Delaware Police Department, are exceedingly rare. The last shooting in city limits happened in July 2023, when a person was critically injured in a shooting in the Whitechapel neighborhood.
Saturday’s incident was the worst mass shooting in Delaware in seven years by count of victims, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, and the first mass shooting in the City of Newark in recent memory.
The shooting in Newark was just one of several violent incidents that marred Halloween celebrations across the country. Dozens of people were injured and at least six people died in mass shootings as gun violence broke out at nightlife districts in half a dozen cities across the country over the weekend.
Police in Dallas, the site of the deadliest violence, said four people are dead and 15 others were injured following a handful of shootings in the city’s Deep Ellum neighborhood, a center of music, restaurants and nightlife in the city. Police in other college towns like Fayetteville, Arkansas; Birmingham, Alabama; and Bloomington, Illinois, also reported shootings in their nightlife districts this weekend.
In Ellendale, Del., the small town in Sussex County, one teenager was killed and eight more people were injured at an outdoor party Saturday night. Police said an unknown suspect opened fire from a neighboring property into the crowd, striking nine victims.
UD cancels classes Monday, offers support
The University of Delaware has canceled classes Monday, Nov. 2, “to give students, faculty and staff time to rest, process and connect with support.” Officials noted the closure is not related to a safety concern.
UD President Laura Carlson wrote in a letter to students that it is “difficult to know what to say when violence like this erupts in our community.”
“We are all impacted,” Carlson said. “I ask that you keep the victims in your thoughts and hearts as they receive care. Please also recognize the impact and toll on our students and community members who were on Main Street last night and witnessed this violence.”
In a separate letter, Carlson condemned social media postings perpetuating racist comments about the shooting. According to the UD Black Student Union, the social media app YikYak was filled with comments linking the shooting to the number of Black people on Main Street and referring to them by racial insults.
“In the aftermath of yesterday’s shooting, I am calling on our community to stand together, in support of each other,” Carlson said. “I am appalled that social media feeds are featuring racist and stereotyped comments and misinformation. There is no place, ever, for this at UD.”
She said students who experienced or witnessed discrimination or harassment, should report it to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance.
UD is making counseling resources available to students affected by the shooting.
In-person walk-in support will be available for students on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, between 1 to 4 p.m. in Warner Hall. The Center for Counseling & Student Development will reopen on Monday. In-person support is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students can walk in or book in advance. For unscheduled walk-in support, students should come to 305 Warner Hall and request to speak with a counselor. For in-person appointments, students can use the web-booking feature in the UD Health Portal.
Sean’s House, the mental health support nonprofit on West Main Street, is open to UD students and other young people in need of support every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 24/7 for emergency support.
“We know that events like this can leave people feeling shaken, overwhelmed or simply looking for a safe place to be with others and talk through what happened,” the organization wrote in a statement. “Sean’s House is here. If you need a place to gather, connect or process what happened, our doors are open. Our team is available to listen, offer peer support and remind you that you don’t have to navigate difficult moments alone.”
Local, state leaders react
Attorney General Kathy Jennings said prosecutors have been assigned to the Newark and Ellendale shootings.
“I am heartbroken for the victims and for everyone traumatized by the reality of gun violence, and I am grateful to state and local law enforcement who are investigating these crimes,” Jennings said. “Nobody should have to worry about their kids getting home on Halloween. It’s unacceptable.”
Speaking on behalf of city council, Mayor Travis McDermott said he is “deeply concerned” by the shooting.
“Our hearts go out to those injured, their families, and everyone else who witnessed this traumatic event,” McDermott said. “We appreciate the swift response of the Newark Police Department and our partner agencies.”
Gov. Matt Meyer expressed his sadness over the shootings in Newark and Ellendale.
“No family should have to receive the call that someone they love has been shot,” Meyer said. “Today, people in Newark and Ellendale are facing pain and fear that no one should have to endure. My heart is with those injured, their loved ones and every Delawarean who has been impacted by these tragedies. I condemn these senseless acts of violence, and gun violence in all its forms.”
State Rep. Cyndie Romer and State Rep. Mara Gorman issued a joint statement.
“We are heartbroken by the horrifying news of the shooting on Main Street late last night. Main Street is the heart of our community, and no one should ever have to fear for their safety while walking through our town,” they said. “Our thoughts and hearts are with the six individuals injured, their loved ones, and everyone in our community who experienced this terrifying ordeal. We are incredibly grateful to the Newark Police Department, the University of Delaware Police, and our emergency medical responders who acted quickly on the scene.”
They said the incident reinforces the need to reduce gun violence.
“In our time serving our community, reducing gun violence and fighting for common-sense public safety measures has always been a deeply personal commitment,” Romer and Gorman said. “We can never accept gun violence as normal in our hometown.”
Sen. Chris Coons said he was “deeply disturbed” by the shooting in Newark.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the entire community. A night of celebration should never end in violence,” Coons said. “I’m grateful to the first responders who rushed to the scene and am praying for the full recovery of everyone injured.”
Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester made a similar statement.
“I will continue to work as your senator for strong communities – from addressing this public health epidemic to a focus on PUBLIC safety,” she said. “As a mom and grandmother, I share grief and send prayers to those impacted and their loved ones.”
Rep. Sarah McBride said she was “heartbroken” to wake up to news of the shooting.
“What should have been a night of Halloween fun and celebration was instead shattered by senseless gun violence,” McBride said, adding, “Delaware is a state of neighbors, and we will support the Newark and Blue Hen communities in the aftermath of this tragedy.”
Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay said she is “so sad and mad” as she learns more about the shootings in Newark and Ellendale.
“I will continue to stand up and take action with my colleagues, advocates and local leaders who know that any act of violence is one too many,” Gay said.
This article will be updated as information becomes available. Jacob Owens, of the Newark Post’s newsroom partner, Spotlight Delaware, contributed to this article. This article also contains information from the Associated Press.
