Six people hospitalized after late-night gunfire
Six people were injured in a shooting late Halloween night in downtown Newark, prompting a major police and emergency response near the University of Delaware campus, authorities said. The Newark Police Department said officers were sent to the area of East Main Street and Choate Street at 11:13 p.m. Oct. 31 after receiving reports of shots fired.
Police said all six victims were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities had not released their medical conditions, and no additional information about their identities was provided. The circumstances that led to the shooting, including whether the victims knew one another, remained under investigation.
“The shooting occurred on the south sidewalk of East Main Street, directly across from Choate Street.”
The shooting took place as Halloween celebrations were underway in the college town. Videos shared on social media showed people fleeing the downtown area, running along the sidewalk and into the street as the response developed. The footage was not independently verified in the information provided by police.
Police say no continuing threat was identified
In an earlier release, Newark police said there did not appear to be an ongoing threat to public safety. The department did not say whether a suspect had been arrested or identify anyone believed to be responsible. Investigators continued gathering evidence and reviewing information from the scene.
University of Delaware police assisted with the emergency response and continued coordinating with Newark police, according to statements issued by the university. The school said it would post additional updates online as information became available. Students living in the area who needed help getting home were directed to contact university police at (302) 831-2222.
Downtown streets closed during investigation
East Main Street was shut down for roughly five hours while officers and emergency personnel worked at the scene. The closure extended from Library Avenue to Academy Street, police said. Sections of the road were reopened gradually before the street was fully returned to traffic.
Drivers and pedestrians were asked to avoid the area during the response. The closure caused traffic congestion in downtown Newark while police, medical crews and other emergency personnel operated near the shooting scene. Roads surrounding the university have since reopened.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | East Main Street near Choate Street, Newark |
| Time reported | 11:13 p.m. Oct. 31 |
| People shot | Six |
| Medical response | All six transported to local hospitals |
| Road status | East Main Street has reopened |
Police ask witnesses to share evidence
Newark police and University of Delaware police are asking anyone with photographs, video or other information connected to the shooting to contact investigators. The request includes material captured during the incident or its immediate aftermath, when downtown streets were crowded for Halloween.
Officials did not release a suspect description, weapon information or a possible motive in the updates available. They also did not announce whether the shooting was believed to be isolated or connected to another incident. Those questions remained open as the investigation continued.
First Newark shooting listed this year
The shooting was identified as the first in Newark this year in a database maintained by Delaware Online/The News Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. That information provides a year-to-date comparison but does not establish the circumstances of Saturday night's violence or indicate how the case may be classified as the investigation proceeds.
Newark police said more information would be released as investigators develop the case. For now, authorities are directing people with relevant evidence to share it with police, while the university continues to coordinate with local law enforcement and provide updates through its online channels.
