On Monday, Nov. 24, three New Castle County Police officers stopped a potential terror attack on the University of Delaware, earning statewide praise for their quick thinking and decisive action.
The Stop
The officers, who work for the New Castle County Police Department, were on a routine traffic stop when they encountered 25‑year‑old Luqmaan Khan in a pickup truck parked in Canby Park. The park had closed just before midnight, but the officers approached the vehicle as part of their regular duties.
The Encounter
When Khan refused to cooperate, the officers detained him and discovered a loaded handgun, more than 100 rounds of ammunition, and armored ballistic plates hidden in the truck. They also found a notebook that detailed his desire to become a martyr and named a member of the University of Delaware Police Department as a target.
Investigation Findings
After the arrest, state and federal law‑enforcement agents conducted a raid on Khan’s Wilmington home. The search revealed hand‑drawn maps of the UD Police Department building and a schedule that matched the intended target’s work hours, according to officials.
University Response
University Police Chief Patrick Ogden said the department had had no prior contact with Khan. “The university police have had no contact with him before. The investigation is ongoing. We are in the early stages. We really want to piece this together and everyone wants to know the why, but we don’t have those answers yet,” Ogden told reporters.
Officer Praise
The three officers were honored on Friday for possibly preventing a terror attack just before Thanksgiving. While the department praised their actions, the officers themselves expressed a desire to return to their regular patrol duties. “Just go strap on the boots every day and do our job as usual. It’s not gonna change my mentality of what I’m doing or who I am,” Officer First Class Jay Scerbo said.
Officer Statements
Officer First Class Nathan Jupiter added, “There’s a lot of bad people out there and we are taking them off the street every day, but yeah this one hit different.” The officers highlighted that their intervention was a routine part of their job, but the stakes were higher this time.
Charges
Khan now faces a range of state and federal charges, including resisting arrest, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, weapon violations, and related offenses. Prosecutors are still building the case, but the evidence collected points to a planned attack on the university.
Community Impact
The incident has raised questions about campus safety and the role of local law enforcement in preventing potential threats. The University of Delaware and the New Castle County Police Department are working closely to ensure that the campus remains secure as the holiday season approaches.
Ongoing Investigation
While the officers continue to serve on patrol, their swift action on Nov. 24 has already been recognized as a critical moment in preventing a possible tragedy. The community now looks to the ongoing investigation for further details on how the threat was uncovered and neutralized.
Gratitude and Vigilance
The broader community has expressed gratitude for the officers’ vigilance, noting that their actions likely saved lives and preserved the safety of students and staff. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of law‑enforcement vigilance during high‑risk periods.
Future Updates
As the investigation moves forward, authorities will release additional information when available. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the campus remains safe and that any future threats are identified and addressed promptly.
Return to Duty
In the meantime, the officers involved have returned to their routine duties, reaffirming their commitment to public safety and the well‑deserved respect they received for their decisive intervention.
