Firearm arrest follows Rehoboth assault investigation

REHOBOTH BEACH — Allan Simms, 40, of Rehoboth Beach, was arrested on firearm charges following an investigation into an assault Monday, authorities said.

According to Delaware State Police Senior Cpl. Leonard DeMalto, at approximately 12:05 a.m., troopers were alerted to an assault in the parking lot of the YMCA, 20080 Church St. An investigation revealed that a 40-year-old man had been arguing with Simms, an acquaintance.

During the confrontation, Simms struck the man, causing minor injuries, police said. The suspect departed from the area, only to return a short time later, when he produced a firearm and fired one round toward the victim, who was not struck, Cpl. DeMalto said.

Simms again left the area in a dark-blue Dodge Caliber, which troopers subsequently located unoccupied in the nearby Burton Village apartment complex.

A search of the Caliber yielded a Smith & Wesson long rifle, and a computer check revealed that Simms is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm, police said.

There were no other injuries in the incident, and Cpl. DeMalto said the wounded man did not require medical attention.

Simms was charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, first-degree reckless endangering and third-degree assault. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution, Georgetown, on a $66,000 cash bond.