03.23.26
by

SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER VIOLENT CONFRONTATION LEADS TO ASSAULTING OFFICERS AND DISCARDING FIREARM

(Wilmington, DE 19808)- On Thursday, March 19, 2026, at approximately 12:06 p.m., officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the area of Oregon Road and Nebraska Road within the Park Place Trailer Park community.

The pedestrian, later identified as 32-year-old Maliq Smith-Lemon of Wilmington, was not injured. Following the collision, Smith-Lemon confronted the driver, escalating the situation by physically striking the vehicle, demanding the driver exit, and making threats of violence.

Upon officers’ arrival, it was determined that Smith-Lemon would be taken into custody. As officers attempted to detain him, he fled on foot but was quickly apprehended in the 4600 block of Haverford Place. While being placed into a patrol vehicle, Smith-Lemon engaged in multiple physical altercations with officers, resulting in minor injuries to the officers.

After Smith-Lemon was secured in the patrol vehicle, a concerned citizen called 911 to report that a firearm may have been discarded during the foot pursuit. Officers returned to the area and recovered a handgun in a nearby parking lot. Further investigation revealed that Smith-Lemon is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Smith-Lemon was transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he continued to resist and engaged in a physical altercation with two additional officers, causing another minor injury.

Smith-Lemon has been charged with the following offenses:

  • Three felony counts of Assault Second Degree (injury to a law enforcement officer)
  • Three felony counts of Resisting Arrest
  • One felony count of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
  • One felony count of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited
  • Two misdemeanor counts of Offensive Touching (law enforcement)
  • One misdemeanor count of Terroristic Threatening
  • One misdemeanor count of Disorderly Conduct
  • One misdemeanor count of Harassment
  • One misdemeanor count of Offensive Touching
  • One misdemeanor count of Criminal Mischief

Smith-Lemon was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $88,300.00 cash bail.

Maliq Smith-Lemon – 32