NEW CASTLE, DE — Detectives from the New Castle County Division of Police (NCCPD) have charged two individuals following an investigation into a shooting at the New Castle Crossing apartment complex.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 3:31 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to the scene. They observed a vehicle speeding away and attempted to intercept it. The vehicle crashed near 295 and New Castle Avenue, where officers found the driver, Adrien Owens, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Owens was treated at a local hospital and then released back into police custody. A search warrant executed on the crashed vehicle led to the discovery of a firearm.
The original crime scene was established in the 1600 block of Bassett Avenue – New Castle, where an apartment and a parked car had been hit by gunfire. Amid the chaos, officers learned of a second victim, a 22-year-old male who had been privately transported to Wilmington Manor Fire Company. He was transferred to a local hospital and remains in critical condition.
During the attempt to secure the area and administer first aid, officers encountered a disorderly individual, later identified as the second suspect, Carlos Vasquez. Despite initial resistance, Vasquez was taken into custody.
Thanks to swift action by patrol officers, community assistance, and diligent investigation by the Criminal Investigations Unit, both suspects were charged in connection with the shooting.
New Castle resident, 20-year-old Adrien Owens, faces multiple felony charges, including assault in the first degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, reckless endangering first degree, and disregarding a police officer signal. His bail was set at $115,000, and he was committed to Howard R Young Correctional Institution.
21-year-old Carlos Vasquez, also of New Castle, was charged with several felonies, including assault in the first degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, reckless endangering in the first degree, resisting arrest with force, act of intimidation to prevent, and a misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree. His bail was set at $120,000, and he was also committed to Howard R Young Correctional Institution.
As proceedings continue, it’s crucial to remember these are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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