New Castle County Police
(Newark, DE) – As a graduate of the University of Delaware, it was especially painful to hear about the tragedy that was narrowly averted at the school last month. At least, according to cops — a mass shooting that was planned at the university was stopped by good police work.
It was on November 24 when 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan was arrested. Police say he was in a car containing guns, ammunition, body armor, and numerous extended magazines. He allegedly had a pistol as well as a conversion kit that can convert a handgun into a semi-automatic rifle.
Outlets have published Khan’s photo (from the DMV) and some of his alleged writings.
Khan’s alleged plot targeted a campus police station. This was actually at University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus, rather than the main campus in Newark. Cops say they arrested Khan at Canby Park West — which contains a frisbee golf course, there in Wilmington. Police allege their investigation uncovered a manifesto — penned by Khan — as well as documents like maps and attack plans.
The reporting says the attack was aimed at achieving “martyrdom” for Khan. But he appeared nervous when approached by officers on patrol, prompting the broader search and inquiry. Newcastle Police Master Cpl. Richard Chambers said: “(Officers) just randomly drove up in the Canby Park West, and when they located the vehicle in the park, once they made contact with the individual, rather than just shooing the person out, saying, ‘Hey, the park is closed,’ they did police work.”
And the University of Delaware community is all the better for it.
