Victims Hospitalized and Juvenile Charged Following Halloween Night Shooting on Newark’s Main Street
Main Street in Newark, Delaware, resembled a war zone late Halloween night after gunfire erupted near Choate Street, leaving six people injured during a large holiday gathering. According to local reporting by firststateupdate.com, the Newark Police Department stated that the shooting occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at approximately 11:13 p.m. on the south sidewalk of East Main Street, directly across from Choate Street.
Hospitalized in serious condition, a 19-year-old male is recovering from a gunshot wound to his back. A 20-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound that caused a collapsed lung and is also hospitalized in serious condition. A 21-year-old female suffered a graze wound to her leg, for which she was treated and released from the hospital.
Two 15-year-old boys were among those struck by gunfire. One suffered a gunshot wound to his back and remains hospitalized in critical condition, while the second sustained a gunshot wound to his foot and is in serious condition. According to sources cited by firststateupdate.com, one of the 15-year-old victims may have suffered paralysis and was transferred to Nemours Children’s Hospital, though officials have not formally confirmed the reported paralysis or hospital transfer. The sixth victim, a 16-year-old male from Wilmington, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso and lower extremities and remains hospitalized in serious condition.
Teen Faces Weapons Charges While Hospitalized
During the ensuing investigation, Newark Police officers located the 16-year-old Wilmington victim and discovered he was allegedly in possession of a loaded firearm. An arrest warrant was secured and the weapon was retrieved by officers, charging the teenager with Breach of Release, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Under 21.
Justice of the Peace Court 3 held the juvenile’s arraignment, setting his bail at $60,100 cash. He remains hospitalized in Newark Police custody. Police have not released additional identifying information regarding the teenager, and authorities have not indicated that he was responsible for shooting any of the victims.
The incident triggered panic as crowds celebrating Halloween near the University of Delaware fled the area. Students retreated to their dormitories, using social media to confirm their safety and contacting parents in the middle of the night. Main Street remained closed for approximately five hours between South Chapel Street and Haines Street while crime scene investigators processed the area. Newark Police detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and authorities have not yet released information regarding the person or persons responsible for opening fire or a possible motive.
