Novel Castle County police officers uncovered a planned attack on the University of Delaware campus police department following a traffic stop in Wilmington’s Canby Park late on Nov. 24, 2025.
The discovery occurred just before midnight during a routine property check. Officers identified a white Toyota Tacoma parked after hours in the park, leading to an encounter with the driver, a student at the University of Delaware. A subsequent search of the vehicle and the individual revealed a cache of tactical equipment and documentation detailing a violent plot.
Authorities seized a converted machine gun and more than 100 rounds of ammunition from the suspect’s possession. Investigators too recovered body armor and a handwritten notebook. The notebook contained detailed operational planning for an assault on the campus police department, including identified entry points to the facility and planned escape routes.
According to police reports, the planning documents specifically named a particular officer as a target of the planned attack.
The seizure of a converted machine gun introduces significant federal legal implications. Under the National Firearms Act (NFA), weapons modified to fire automatically without proper registration are classified as illegal machine guns, carrying severe federal penalties. The presence of body armor and tactical mapping further indicates a level of preparation consistent with targeted violence rather than impulsive action.
Following the initial arrest by local authorities, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assumed a lead role in the interrogation process. FBI agents conducted interviews with the suspect to determine the motivation behind the plot and whether the student had ties to broader extremist networks or co-conspirators.
The incident highlights the role of local patrol officers in the early detection of pre-operational surveillance. The suspect’s presence in Canby Park and the subsequent discovery of the mapping notebook suggest a phase of reconnaissance that was interrupted by a routine police check.
The FBI continues to interview the suspect as part of an ongoing investigation.
