Six people aged between 15 and 21 were shot during a large Halloween gathering near the University of Delaware campus in Newark, Delaware, with one teenage victim later charged after police found him carrying a loaded firearm.
The shooting happened at about 11.13pm on Saturday, October 31, on the south side of East Main Street, across from Choate Street, according to Newark Police. Crowds fled from nearby bars and restaurants as officers and emergency crews responded. ([newarkdepolicepress.com](https://newarkdepolicepress.com/2026/11/01/newark-police-investigating-shooting-on-main-street-update-2/))
All six victims were taken to hospital. A 15-year-old boy who was shot in the back remained in critical condition, while another 15-year-old boy, who was shot in the foot, was in serious condition.
A 16-year-old boy from Wilmington suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was also in serious condition, as were a 19-year-old man shot in the back and a 20-year-old man whose injuries caused a collapsed lung. A 21-year-old woman was treated and discharged after suffering a graze wound to her leg.
Teenager charged after gun found
During the investigation, officers found the 16-year-old victim from Wilmington in possession of a loaded firearm, which was recovered, police said.
He has been charged with possession of a firearm by a person under 21, carrying a concealed deadly weapon and breach of release. The teenager was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court No 3 and given cash bail of $60,100.
He remained in hospital in Newark Police custody on Sunday. His identity has not been released because he is under 18, and police stressed that the wider shooting investigation remains active. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Newark Police are seeking video footage, photographs and other information from members of the public. Detective Paige Klein is leading the appeal, while the University of Delaware Police Department and several other local and state agencies have assisted with the investigation. ([newarkdepolicepress.com](https://newarkdepolicepress.com/2026/11/01/newark-police-investigating-shooting-on-main-street-update-2/))
One bystander told local television station Fox 29 that he removed his shirt to press against a young victim’s abdominal wound and held the teenager’s hand until emergency responders arrived.
“It’s very, very, very upsetting,” he said. “I’ve seen deaths before, but this one hit me even harder just because, like this kid, he’s very, very young.”
University classes suspended
The University of Delaware said all in-person and virtual classes would be suspended on Monday, November 2, to give students and staff time to recover and access support. With the university already closed on Tuesday for Election Day, teaching is due to resume on Wednesday, November 4.
The university said the decision was not prompted by an ongoing safety threat. Newark Police have indicated that there is no continuing danger to the community, while campus dining, other services and counselling support remain available. ([www1.udel.edu](https://www1.udel.edu/ocm/html-email/president/community-update-110126c.html))
In a message to the university community, President Laura Carlson, Interim Provost Bill Farquhar and executive vice-president Ellen Herbst said the campus had been “shaken” by the shooting and that classes were being paused to allow people to “rest, process, and connect with support”.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer condemned the shooting, along with a separate Halloween night shooting in Ellendale. “No family should have to receive the call that someone they love has been shot,” he said, adding that gun violence must not be accepted as “a part of life in Delaware”. ([news.delaware.gov](https://news.delaware.gov/2026/11/01/governor-meyers-statement-on-the-shootings-in-newark-and-ellendale/))
