01/22/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2025 09:34
The Delaware State Police arrested a 16-year-old female from Newark, DE, a 17-year-old female from New Castle, DE, 18-year-old Trajuan Wilmot, 18-year-old Bryson Ridgley, and 18-year-old Miguel Matthews, all three from Elkton, MD, for robbery and assault charges stemming from a shooting investigation that occurred last month at the Biden Welcome Center in Newark. During the investigation, detectives also arrested 45-year-old Orenzo Charles of Goshen, New York, for felony drug offenses.
On December 1, 2024, at approximately 7:00 a.m., troopers responded to a reported shooting at the Biden Welcome Center, located at 530 John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway in Newark. Upon arriving, troopers found a man lying on the ground in the parking lot outside of Starbucks. The victim, identified as Orenzo Charles, was transported to an area hospital by EMS for non-life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation revealed that Charles was approached by multiple unknown suspects in a white sedan while he was stopped at the service center. The suspects and Charles discussed drugs, during which Charles retrieved a bag containing marijuana from his vehicle. One of the suspects then grabbed the bag through their vehicle's window, and a struggle ensued for the bag while the suspect vehicle attempted to drive away. During the struggle, one of the suspects fired shots from a firearm, one of which struck Charles. After the shooting, the suspect vehicle fled in an unknown direction with the bag.
Through investigative means, and with the assistance of out-of-state law enforcement agencies, Troop 2 Robbery Detectives identified the suspects involved in the shooting as a 16-year-old female, a 17-year-old female, Trajuan Wilmot, Bryson Ridgley, and Miguel Matthews, and obtained warrants for their arrests. During the investigation, detectives also obtained a warrant for Charles' arrest after they executed a search warrant on Charles' vehicle and found approximately 265.59 grams of marijuana.
All of the suspects were ultimately taken into custody on separate dates throughout the investigation and were each charged with multiple crimes.
On December 10, 2024, Charles turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and released on a $3,000 unsecured bond.
Orenzo CharlesOn December 12, 2024, the 17-year-old female was taken into custody by detectives in Wilmington. She was transported to Troop 2, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by New Castle County Family Court, and committed to New Castle County Detention Center on a $182,000 cash bond.
On December 16, 2024, the 16-year-old female turned herself in at Troop 2, where she was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and released to a guardian after posting a $62,000 secured bond.
On December 16, 2024, Wilmot was taken into custody in Maryland by the Elkton Police Department. On December 18, 2024, Wilmot was extradited to Delaware, and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $182,000 cash bond.
Trajuan WilmotOn December 16, 2024, was taken into custody in Maryland by the Elkton Police Department. On December 18, 2024, Ridgley was extradited to Delaware, and transported to Troop 2, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and ?? on a $182,000 cash bond.
Bryson RidgleyOn January 17, 2025, Matthews was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $77,000 cash bond.
Miguel MatthewsDisclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Learn more about Civilian Careers today!
Please tell us how we're doing via our Citizen Satisfaction Survey.
Leave a comment regarding DSP's Compliance with CALEA Accreditation Standards.