Delaware State Police

Superintendent Colonel William Crotty

Detectives Investigating Shooting at Rehoboth Restaurant Parking Lot

Date Posted: Friday, June 28th, 2024

Cantina

Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the Big Chill Surf Cantina parking lot in Rehoboth early this morning.

On June 28, 2024, at approximately 12:51 a.m., troopers responded to the Big Chill Surf Cantina located at 19406 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth, for a report of a shooting. While responding to the scene, troopers received reports of a 27-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg at a nearby hospital. The preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was among a group of several subjects that were involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot of the restaurant. During the altercation, an unknown black male suspect pulls out a handgun from a bag and fires one shot at the victim. Following the shooting, all of the subjects involved in the altercation fled from the scene. The victim was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle, where he was treated and released.

Through investigative means, detectives identified the suspect responsible for the shooting as 28-year-old Jonathan Blackwell of Milford, Delaware. Detectives obtained a warrant for Blackwell’s arrest for several felony offenses. Attempts to locate Blackwell (pictured below) remain ongoing.

The Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone who has information regarding Jonathan Blackwell’s whereabouts to contact Detective J. Hill at 302-752-3792 or by calling 9-1-1. Information may also be provided by sending a Private Facebook Message to the Delaware State Police, by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

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.