Gun discharges during Appo High basketball game, no injuries reported
By This story has been updated
MIDDLETOWN - A gun discharged during an Appoquinimink High boys’ basketball game Monday night, Delaware State Police said.
Spokesman Senior Cpl. Jason Hatchell said troopers were called to the school at 1080 Bunker Hill Road at approximately 7:16 p.m. for a shot fired report.
Two troopers working duty during the game responded to a hallway outside the gymnasium where a fight had just occurred, Cpl. Hatchell said.
Investigation determined that a firearm discharged when stepped on after falling to the ground during the fight, according to authorities. The round hit a wall and no injuries were reported, authorities said.
Cpl. Hatchell said that “The suspects were last observed running from the school towards the football stadium.
“The number of suspects and their involvement is still being determined.”
Appoquinimink High hosted Tri-State Academy (Md.) in varsity and junior varsity games Monday night.
Following the incident school district Superintendent Matt Burrows released a message addressed to Appoquinimink staff and families shortly after 8 p.m.
The message said in part that “We are deeply saddened by the events of this evening, and thankful that no one was injured.
“We wish to express our appreciation to the players, coaches, officials and spectators who quickly followed the safety protocols we practice throughout the year and allowed themselves to be relocated to a secure space while police searched the site. We appreciate their patience as we waited for the all-clear to exit the building.”
Noting that “After an unsettling incident like this, the safety of students and staff is our No. 1 priority,” Superintendent Burrows said that “While the police investigation continues, on Tuesday, there will be an increased presence of law enforcement officials at Appoquinimink High and our crisis response team (school counselors, psychologists, nurses) will be available to meet with students or staff throughout the day.”
Updates and information would be shared “with our families and stakeholders” as available as the Delaware State Police investigation continues, Superintendent Burrows said.
Attempts to reach the Appoquinimink School District for further information Tuesday were not immediately unsuccessful.
The Troop 2 Criminal Investigation Unit continues to investigate this case. Troopers asked anyone who witnessed this incident to contact Detective B. Timmons by calling 302-365-8434. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
There have been other shooting incidets at or near New Castle County public high schools this year:
• A 16-year-old Wilmington male was arrested for reckless endangering and other charges connected to a shot that was fired at William Penn High in New Castle on Jan. 16. There were no reported injuries.
• On Sept. 23, 2022, two persons were shot near Appoquinimink High as the Jaguars hosted Middletown in an intra-district football game. The incident occurred off-campus in the area of Bunker Hill Road and Choptank Road at approximately 9:15 p.m.
The shooting injuries were non-life threatening, police said, and two Townsend men were later arrested in connection with the incident.
