Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty

Update – Suspect Arrested Detectives Investigating Shooting in Bear Area Shopping Center

Date Posted: Tuesday, August 5th, 2025

The Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Victor Johnson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a shooting that occurred in Bear in March.

On March 2, 2025, at approximately 10:51 a.m., troopers responded for a report of shots fired at Sunset Station shopping center, located at 1835 Pulaski Highway in Bear. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was driving through the parking lot in a Chevrolet Equinox when he encountered 3 unknown male suspects walking in the road. The suspects and the victim began arguing, during which the victim briefly got out of his vehicle. As the victim entered his vehicle after the argument, 2 of the suspects pulled out handguns and fired an unknown number of shots at the victim’s Equinox. The vehicle was struck by gunfire; however, the victim was not injured. After the shooting, the suspects fled on foot towards the neighborhood behind the shopping center. Troopers searched the area for the suspects but were unable to locate them.

Through investigative means, detectives identified Victor Johnson as one of the suspects in the shooting and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On August 4, 2025, Johnson was taken into custody by the Wilmington Police Department in their city limits. Johnson was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $45,000 cash bond.

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony)

Detectives continue working to identify the other suspects.

The Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information about this case to contact Detective J. Dempsey by calling (302) 365-8472. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.