Halloween shooting near University of Delaware wounds 6, prompts UD to cancel Monday classes

Six people ages 15 to 21, including a UD student, were shot on Newark's Main Street late Oct. 31. A wounded 16-year-old faces gun charges, but police have not said who opened fire.

Six people ages 15 to 21 were shot on Newark's crowded Main Street late on Halloween night, prompting the University of Delaware to cancel classes on Monday, Nov. 2, as police continue to investigate.

Newark police said the gunfire broke out at about 11:13 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, on the south sidewalk of East Main Street across from Choate Street, in the downtown bar and restaurant strip next to campus, where costumed crowds had gathered. The university sent an emergency alert at 11:29 p.m. telling people to avoid the area, NBC10 Philadelphia reported, and several blocks of Main Street stayed closed for about five hours.

People in Halloween costumes walk toward police vehicles on Main Street in Newark, Delaware

Victims ages 15 to 21

According to police, a 15-year-old boy shot in the back was in critical condition. Four others were hospitalized in serious condition: a 15-year-old boy shot in the foot, a 16-year-old boy with multiple gunshot wounds, a 19-year-old man shot in the back and a 20-year-old man with a collapsed lung. A 21-year-old woman with a graze wound to her leg was treated and released. Police said the 20-year-old is a UD student.

Officers found the wounded 16-year-old, who is from the Wilmington area, with a loaded firearm. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a person under 21, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and breach of release, and remains hospitalized in police custody on $60,100 cash bail. Police have not said he fired the gun or tied him to the shooting itself, and no one has been charged with the shooting. The investigation remains open.

A Newark Police mobile command vehicle behind crime scene tape off Main Street

'Time to rest, process'

UD said the campus would stay open and stressed that canceling classes "is not based on a safety concern," noting that Newark police reported no ongoing threat. A letter from President Laura Carlson and other university leaders said the day off was meant to give students, faculty and staff time to "rest, process, and connect with support." With the campus already closed Tuesday for Election Day, classes resume Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Carlson asked the community to recognize "the impact and toll on our students and community members who were on Main Street last night and witnessed this violence." Walk-in counseling was offered on Monday at Warner Hall.

Police block East Main Street at Center Street after the shooting in downtown Newark

The Newark shooting came about an hour after gunfire at an outdoor party near Ellendale in Sussex County, where Delaware State Police said nine people were struck and a 17-year-old girl from Seaford died. "We must never accept gun violence as a part of life in Delaware," Gov. Matt Meyer said.

Newark police are asking anyone with photos or video to contact Detective Paige Klein at 302-366-7100, ext. 3480.

Photos: William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms

Halloween shooting near University of Delaware wounds 6, prompts UD to cancel Monday classes

Six people ages 15 to 21, including a UD student, were shot on Newark's Main Street late Oct. 31. A wounded 16-year-old faces gun charges, but police have not said who opened fire.