14-year-old charged as an adult with attempted murder in Laurel shooting
LAUREL, Del. – A 14-year-old male from Laurel is facing multiple felony charges as an adult after allegedly opening fire on a vehicle in broad daylight last month, according to the Delaware State Police. The incident, which occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about juvenile gun violence.
The shooting took place at approximately 12:20 p.m. in the 30000 block of Seaford Road. According to official reports, the 14-year-old, accompanied by a 15-year-old, was walking along the road when a northbound vehicle passed them near Discount Land Road. The 14-year-old is accused of firing an unknown number of shots at the passing car.
Miraculously, no one in the vehicle, which included a driver and two passengers, was injured, and the car was not struck by the gunfire.
Following a 911 call reporting the shooting, Delaware State Police and the Laurel Police Department responded swiftly to the scene. An intensive search of the area led to the apprehension of both teenagers without incident.
The 14-year-old has been charged with a slate of serious felonies, including Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Ammunition by a Person under 18, three counts of Reckless Endangering in the First Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree.1 He has been arraigned by the Justice of the Peace Court 3 and is being held at the Stevenson House Detention Center on a $125,000 cash bond.
The 15-year-old was also charged with three counts of Reckless Endangering in the First Degree and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. He is being held on the same bond at the same facility.
Under Delaware law, the severity of the alleged offenses allows for the 14-year-old to be charged as an adult. The decision to prosecute a minor in the adult criminal justice system often depends on the nature of the crime and the suspect’s age.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Detectives are asking potential witnesses to contact Detective Z. Spudis at (302) 752-3795.
This incident has reignited local discussions about youth crime and the accessibility of firearms to minors. Community leaders and residents have expressed their alarm at the brazenness of the daytime shooting and are calling for increased measures to ensure public safety.
