NEWARK, Del. (WPVI) — Six people, including the victim, have been arrested in connection with a shooting and attempted robbery at a rest stop in Newark, Delaware, during the holiday travel season.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on December 1, 2024, in the parking lot near the Starbucks at the Biden Welcome Center. When officers arrived at the scene, they found 45-year-old Orenzo Charles lying on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators say Charles was approached by multiple individuals in a white sedan while he was stopped at the service center. The suspects and Charles allegedly discussed drugs, after which Charles retrieved a bag of marijuana from his vehicle. According to police, one of the suspects grabbed the bag through the vehicle’s window, and a struggle ensued as the suspects tried to flee in the sedan.
During the struggle, shots were fired, striking Charles once. The suspects then drove off with the bag of marijuana in their possession.
Delaware State Police later arrested several individuals connected to the incident. Among those arrested were a 16-year-old female from Newark, a 17-year-old female from New Castle, and three 18-year-olds from Elkton, Maryland: Trajuan Wilmot, Bryson Ridgley, and Miguel Matthews. The suspects were charged with assault, robbery, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy.
Charles, of Goshen, New York, was also arrested after a search warrant uncovered approximately 265.59 grams of marijuana in his vehicle. He was charged with felony drug offenses and turned himself in to police on December 10. He was later released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.
The 17-year-old suspect was taken into custody on December 12 in Wilmington. She faces charges of assault, robbery, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy and is being held at New Castle County Detention Center on a $182,000 cash bond.
The 16-year-old suspect turned herself in on December 16, facing similar charges. She was released to a guardian after posting a $62,000 secured bond.
Wilmot and Ridgley were arrested in Maryland by the Elkton Police Department on December 16 and extradited to Delaware on December 18. Both face assault, robbery, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy charges and are being held on $182,000 cash bonds.
Matthews, who was charged on January 17, faces similar charges and is being held on a $77,000 cash bond.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to follow up on leads and determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement.