Teen driver shot in targeted highway ambush in Middletown
Middletown, DE — A 17-year-old boy was shot Tuesday night while driving with friends in Middletown, prompting a state police investigation into what appears to be a targeted highway ambush.
The shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. as the teen, behind the wheel of a Nissan Altima with two passengers, was traveling east on State Route 299. According to Delaware State Police, an unknown dark-colored sedan began following the teens before pulling ahead and opening fire as the vehicles approached the ramp connecting Route 299 to Route 1 southbound.
Multiple rounds struck the Nissan, with the teenage driver hit once. The passengers, both also juveniles, were not injured. After the shooting, all three teens managed to walk to a nearby business in the 600 block of Middletown Odessa Road, where they called for help.
Emergency responders transported the 17-year-old to a local hospital, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
Investigators say the ramp was shut down for an extended period while detectives and crime scene technicians processed evidence. It remains unclear how many people were inside the suspect vehicle or how many shots were fired.
No arrests have been made, and the suspect vehicle has not yet been identified. Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit is actively working the case and asking for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
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Key Points
- A 17-year-old was shot while driving on Route 299 in Middletown on Tuesday night
- A dark sedan followed the teen’s car before pulling ahead and opening fire on the highway ramp
- The teen was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries; two other teens in the car were unharmed