09.17.25
by

DETECTIVES ARREST TWO IN WILTON HOMICIDE; SEARCH ONGOING FOR THIRD SUSPECT

(New Castle, DE 19720) On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at approximately 3:58 p.m., officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to Wilton Boulevard and Stonebridge Boulevard for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Mateo Renato Banegas of New Castle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and Emergency Medical Services, Banegas was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Through an extensive investigation, Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Unit were able to identify three suspects: a 16-year-old male of Bear, a 17-year-old male of New Castle, and 19-year-old Mehki Wilson of Elkton, MD.

On July 25, 2025, the 16-year-old male was taken into custody and charged with the following:

  • Murder First Degree
  • Attempted Murder First Degree
  • 3 Counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
  • Conspiracy in the First Degree
  • Reckless Endangering First Degree

On August 7, 2025, the 17-year-old was taken into custody and charged with the following:

  • Murder First Degree
  • Attempted Murder First Degree
  • 3 Counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
  • Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
  • Conspiracy in the First Degree
  • Reckless Endangering First Degree

The 16-year-old was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and is being held at the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of posting $1,045,000.00 cash bail.

The 17-year-old was arraigned by New Castle County Family Court and is being held at the New Castle County Detention Center in lieu of posting $1,500,000.00 cash bail.

Warrants remain active for Mehki Wilson on charges including Murder First Degree. He is known to have ties to New Castle, DE, and Elkton, MD. The Division’s Fugitive Apprehension & Surveillance Team, with the assistance of the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, are searching for Mekhi Wilson and are seeking assistance from the public.

The FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force is offering a reward of up to $5000 for information leading to Mehki Wilson’s arrest. Delaware Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $5000 for information leading to Mehki Wilson’s arrest.

If you have information regarding Mehki Wilson’s whereabouts, please contact Detective Donovan at (302) 395-2781, via email at matthew.donovan@newcastlede.gov, or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency number at (302) 573-2800.

Tips can also be submitted through:

  • Criminal Investigation Unit: (302) 395-8110
  • Facebook Messenger: “New Castle County Police”
  • Crime Stoppers: (800) TIP-3333 or online at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com
  • 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)