Arrests made in Appoquinimink High gun case

By Craig Anderson

MIDDLETOWN — An adult and two juveniles have been arrested after a gun discharged inside Appoquinimink High School on Monday, authorities said Friday.

Delaware State Police said a 14-year-old male from Middletown, who dropped the gun that was then stepped on and discharged into a wall, was found hiding at a residence in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He was taken into custody with the assistance of the Pottstown Police Department, Senior Cpl. Jason Hatchell said.

The juvenile is awaiting extradition to Delaware, where he will be charged.

The incident came during a large fight in a hallway outside a gym where a boys basketball game between Appoquinimink High and Tri-State Christian Academy of Elkton, Maryland, was taking place.

Two state troopers working extra duty at the school went to the area, and the firearm was found there. No injuries were reported.

Also arrested in connection with the matter were Demetrius Lyn-Brown, 20, of Bear, and a 15-year-old male from Middletown. They were taken into custody without incident Thursday at their residences, Cpl. Hatchell said.

Additionally, police said an active arrest warrant is on file for a 16-year-old male from Middletown.

None of the suspects attends Appoquinimink High, which is located at 1080 Bunker Hill Road.

Mr. Lyn-Brown and the 15-year-old were both charged with rioting, third-degree assault, third-degree conspiracy and disorderly conduct.

Following arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 2, Mr. Lyn-Brown was released on a $5,100 unsecured bond. He received a no-contact order with the Appoquinimink School District.

The 15-year-old was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released without bond to a guardian. He received a no-contact order for any of the school’s sports events.

Once the 14-year-old is extradited, Cpl. Hatchell said, he will be charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (two counts), possession of a firearm in a safe school zone and third-degree assault.

The case was the fourth firearm-related incident at a New Castle County school in a month. Other incidents included:

• Feb. 2 at Alexis I. du Pont Middle School, Greenville. State police said a student was found to have a handgun in his backpack. The 14-year-old was arrested on three felonies — possession of a firearm by a person under 21, carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a weapon in a safe school zone. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, released on unsecured bond and turned over to a relative.
• Feb. 2 at Evan G. Shortlidge Academy, Wilmington. Wilmington police said that officers responded to the 100 block of West 18th Street after a school constable located an unloaded firearm in an 8-year-old male student’s backpack. There were no injuries during this incident, which is under investigation by members of the Criminal Investigations Division.
• Jan. 10 at William Penn High School, New Castle. State police investigated a reported shot fired at the school, but there were no injuries. A 16-year-old male from Wilmington was later arrested and charged with first-degree reckless endangering, among other offenses.