A Maryland man who was shot by campus police during a mental health crisis last year has pleaded guilty to aggravated menacing and will avoid jail time under a court agreement.
According to court records, the 26-year-old defendant — whose identity has not been released — was sentenced to one year of probation by a Delaware Superior Court judge. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped an additional charge related to possession of a deadly weapon.
Officials say the agreement allows the man to continue receiving outpatient mental health treatment without interruption. Authorities noted that he has been undergoing treatment since the incident.
Incident Details
The case stems from an incident on January 5, 2025, at the Newark Regional Transportation Center in Newark. Police said the man called 911 and reported that he was armed with a knife and experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Officers from both university and local police departments responded to the scene. A responding officer from the University of Delaware Police Department located the man in a parked vehicle and attempted to make contact.
According to investigative documents, the man exited his vehicle holding a knife and moved toward the officer despite repeated commands to stop. The officer then drew her service weapon and continued issuing verbal warnings while backing away.
When the man continued advancing, the officer fired multiple shots, striking him. Emergency aid was provided at the scene before he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Legal Outcome and Ongoing Review
Following the incident, the man was charged with aggravated menacing and possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony. Under the plea agreement reached in April 2026, the weapons charge was dismissed.
The case also remains under review by the Delaware Department of Justice, which is responsible for evaluating officer-involved shootings. No final determination has been publicly released regarding the use of force.
Authorities have not disclosed the man’s identity, citing both the nature of the charges and the mental health circumstances involved in the case.