Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel Melissa Zebley

Update – Suspect Arrested State Police Investigating New Castle Motel Shooting

Date Posted: Friday, June 28th, 2024

Acuapa

Delaware State Police arrested 21-year-old Erickson Acuapa of Reading, Pennsylvania, for a shooting that occurred earlier this month at a Red Roof Inn & Suites in New Castle.

On June 16, 2024, at approximately 3:33 a.m., troopers responded to a shooting at Red Roof Inn & Suites, located at 1612 N. Dupont Highway, New Castle. When troopers arrived on the scene, they learned that a 20-year-old male victim had been transported to a local hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm. A preliminary investigation revealed that several individuals gathered at the motel after attending a local concert. During this gathering, the victim and unknown suspect engaged in an argument. The altercation escalated, and the suspect fired a shot at the victim before fleeing the scene.

Through investigative means, detectives identified the suspect as Erickson Acuapa, and obtained a warrant for his arrest. On June 19, 2024, Acuapa was located in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and taken into custody by the Wyomissing Police Department.

On June 27, 2024, Acuapa was extradited to Delaware and taken to Troop 2. Acuapa was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $138,000 cash bond.