21-year-old Newark man faces five firearm-related felony charges
NEWARK, DE — A gunshot heard near a Delaware state park office led an officer to a 21-year-old Newark man allegedly carrying a loaded .45-caliber Glock with its serial number obliterated and an illegal modification allowing it to fire automatically, according to Delaware Natural Resources Police.
The encounter unfolded Sunday at White Clay Creek State Park.
At approximately 12:10 p.m., a state park volunteer working near the park office on Thompson Station Road reported hearing a gunshot nearby.
The volunteer told an officer that after hearing the shot, he saw a man carrying a black bag and a woman walking toward the park office parking lot.
A Delaware Natural Resources Police State Parks Unit officer located two people matching that description walking along a trail and contacted them.
During the encounter, police said the man was found with a loaded .45-caliber Glock handgun.
Investigators allege the firearm had an obliterated serial number and had been illegally modified to operate as an automatic weapon.
Police said a brief struggle followed before the officer took the man into custody.
The suspect was transported to the University of Delaware Police Department, where State Parks officers completed their investigation.
Authorities did not identify the 21-year-old man in the news release.
He was charged with possession of a firearm within 10 years of a prior felony conviction, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a weapon with a removed, obliterated or altered serial number, possession of a destructive weapon involving a machine gun or weapon adaptable for use as a machine gun, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.
He also faces misdemeanor resisting arrest and a violation for possession or discharge of a firearm in a state park.
Police did not report any injuries or say what the gunshot heard by the volunteer may have struck.
The man was arraigned by video through Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Howard Young Correctional Institution on $28,050 secured bond.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Key Points
- A gunshot heard at White Clay Creek State Park led an officer to a 21-year-old Newark man allegedly carrying a loaded, illegally modified .45-caliber Glock.
- Police said the handgun had an obliterated serial number and had been modified to fire automatically.
- The man faces multiple felony charges and was committed to Howard Young Correctional Institution on $28,050 secured bond.
