Routine Traffic Stop UNCOVERS Mass Shooting Plot!

Police car with flashing lights pulling over a white vehicle beside a speed limit sign

A routine traffic stop in a Wilmington park unraveled what federal authorities describe as a carefully planned mass shooting targeting a university police department, exposing how easily domestic terror plots can hide in plain sight until one moment of vigilant policing changes everything.

Quick Take

A 25-year-old former University of Delaware student was arrested after police discovered an illegal handgun, extended magazines, body armor, and detailed attack plans in his vehicle during a late-night park stop on November 24.
Subsequent searches of his Wilmington home uncovered an AR-style rifle, converted automatic pistols, hollow-point ammunition, and tactical gear, suggesting premeditated preparation for an assault on the university police station.
Federal authorities charged Khan with possessing an unregistered machine gun, a federal crime carrying up to ten years imprisonment, while state weapons charges remain pending.
The case demonstrates how interagency coordination between local police, the FBI, and federal prosecutors can intercept a serious threat before it materializes into violence.

How a Park Stop Exposed a Hidden Threat

New Castle County Police officers initiated a routine stop on a pickup truck parked in Canby Park West after closing hours on November 24. The driver, Luqmaan Khan, displayed suspicious behavior that prompted officers to search the vehicle. Inside, they discovered a Glock-type handgun, extended magazines, a ballistic plate, and a notebook containing handwritten tactical plans. The notebook included a detailed map of the University of Delaware Police Department facility, marked entry and exit points, and referenced at least one named officer. Officers also found notes referencing martyrdom and urban warfare tactics.

Khan was taken into custody on state weapons charges and subsequently turned over to the FBI for federal investigation. During interviews, Khan allegedly confirmed ownership of the weapons and stated that becoming a martyr is “one of the greatest things you can do.” His statements, combined with the detailed planning materials discovered in his vehicle, convinced federal investigators that an imminent attack was being contemplated against the university police department.

The Arsenal Hidden at Home

Federal agents executed a search warrant at Khan’s Wilmington residence in the days following his arrest. The search revealed a second converted Glock handgun capable of automatic fire, an AR-style rifle equipped with an optic sight, multiple extended magazines, hollow-point ammunition, and additional body armor. The collection of weapons, ammunition types, and tactical equipment suggested Khan had invested significant time and resources into preparing for a specific violent operation rather than engaging in casual firearms ownership.

The discovery of converted pistols particularly alarmed federal investigators. These weapons, modified using “switches” that enable automatic fire, represent a growing concern in federal law enforcement circles. The U.S. Department of Justice identified the possession of an unregistered machine gun as the primary federal charge, carrying a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment if convicted. State charges related to illegal weapons possession and ammunition storage remain under prosecution in Delaware courts.

A Coordinated Response That Prevented Tragedy

The Acting U.S. Attorney publicly praised the collaboration between federal and state law enforcement, characterizing the case as evidence that early detection prevents catastrophe. FBI leadership similarly emphasized that cooperation between local police and federal agents “prevented potential tragedy.” The University of Delaware interim president sent a message to the campus community describing the situation as “frightening” while expressing gratitude to law enforcement and reiterating institutional commitment to campus safety.

The case reflects a broader national trend in which routine police work intersects with homeland security concerns. Khan had no prior criminal record and was not flagged by existing threat-reporting systems. The park stop occurred off-campus, illustrating how off-campus policing actions can directly impact institutional security. The discovery hinged on officers choosing to investigate rather than simply disperse a suspicious vehicle, a decision that transformed what appeared to be a minor violation into a major criminal investigation.

Implications for Campus Security Moving Forward

Universities across the nation are likely to reassess their threat-assessment protocols in light of the Delaware case. Most campus security planning historically focused on classroom attacks or incidents at large public gatherings. The Khan case demonstrates that campus police facilities themselves can become targets, requiring explicit security measures around police stations, communications centers, and critical infrastructure. The University of Delaware and peer institutions will likely increase access controls, security audits, and coordination with municipal law enforcement.

The case also reinforces the importance of information-sharing between university police and local agencies. Khan had been a former University of Delaware student but was living off-campus in Wilmington when arrested. No single institution possessed complete information about his activities; only through coordinated investigation did the full scope of his alleged plot emerge. Going forward, universities may formalize protocols for sharing threat-related information with county and municipal police departments to identify suspicious activity occurring outside campus boundaries but potentially connected to campus targets.