New Castle County Police have arrested four adults and one juvenile after a long week of a tireless investigation into the shooting at Rogers Manor Park.
New Castle County Police charged Carlos Hernandez a 19-year-old, Joshua Scruggs an 18-year-old, Kaleef Smyre a 20-year-old, Jorge Reza-Ayala a 21- year- old, and a 16-year-old with attempted murder and other related offenses.
On Sunday, (3/22) at approximately 1:00 am, New Castle County Police and the Delaware State Police responded to the Rogers Manor County Parkland in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival they located a Gold GMC Sierra with two victims inside suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One of the victims sustained a significant wound to his head and face area as a result of a shotgun blast. The other victim was struck in the upper body by a second fired round. Both victims were treated by New Castle County Paramedics and subsequently transported to Christiana Hospital by Goodwill and Holloway Terrace Fire Companies.
The Criminal Investigations Unit began an investigation into the shooting and was able to develop leads early on in the investigation. The investigation revealed that late Saturday night the 16-year-old set up a meeting with the two victims to buy drugs.
The 16-year-old, Carlos Hernandez, Joshua Scruggs, Kaleef Smyre, and Jorge Reza-Ayala agreed with the victims to meet at the Rogers Manor Parkland area to make the drug deal. The victims then tried to flee in their vehicle and two shots were fired into the truck with a shotgun. One of the rounds struck and critically wounded a 19- year- old male in the face. The victim will require countless surgeries. The other victim, a 23- year- old male was struck in the upper body and remains in stable condition.
Detectives arrested and charged the final suspect Thursday evening.
The 16-year-old was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, assault in the second degree, and conspiracy in the first degree. He was arraigned an issued a $107,000.00 cash bail.
Carlos Hernandez from the 100 block of Stamm Boulevard in New Castle was charged with robbery in the first degree and conspiracy in the first degree. Carlos was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $100,000.00 cash bail.
Joshua Scruggs from the unit block of South Independence Boulevard in New Castle was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, and assault in the second degree. He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $168,000.00 secured bail.
Kaleef Smyre from the unit block of Palmer Place in Newark was charged with attempted murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, assault in the second degree, and conspiracy in the first degree. He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $236,000.00 cash bail.
Jorge Reza-Ayala from the unit block of Upton Hall in Newark was charged with attempted
murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, assault in the second degree, and conspiracy in the first degree. He was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $227,000.00 cash bail.
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