Accidental Shooting at Las Américas ASPIRA High School in Newark, Delaware – On the morning of April 10, 2025, a routine start to the day at Las Américas ASPIRA Charter High School in Newark, Delaware, was abruptly disrupted by an accidental firearm discharge. The incident, which occurred around 7 a.m., involved a school staff member and prompted an immediate lockdown, emergency medical intervention, and a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies.
According to the Delaware State Police, the shooting was the result of an accidental discharge of a firearm by the staff member, whose identity has not been publicly released. The staff member was injured in the incident and received on-site medical attention from New Castle County emergency personnel before being airlifted to Christiana Hospital via Delaware State Police helicopter. The current condition of the individual has not yet been disclosed.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Delaware State Police and the Newark Police Department, responded rapidly, arriving on the scene within minutes. As a precautionary measure, the entire school was placed on lockdown while officers conducted a full sweep of the premises to ensure that no additional threats were present. Authorities have since confirmed that there was no active shooter situation and no danger to students or the surrounding community.
“This appears to be an isolated and accidental incident involving a staff member,” a police spokesperson stated, emphasizing that the investigation remains ongoing to determine how the firearm came to be in the staff member’s possession and the circumstances leading to the discharge.
In the wake of the incident, school officials activated emergency protocols and made the decision to close the school for the remainder of the day. To ensure the safe release of students, a coordinated evacuation was conducted. Students were transported by bus to Ogletown Baptist Church, where they were safely reunited with their families. Law enforcement urged parents and guardians not to approach the school directly to avoid hindering the emergency response.
The reunification process was managed smoothly, thanks to close coordination between school staff, law enforcement, and community organizations. Despite the absence of further harm, the event has reignited ongoing concerns about the presence of firearms in educational institutions.
Las Américas ASPIRA administrators expressed concern for the injured staff member and acknowledged the emotional toll of the situation on students, faculty, and families. The school has committed to providing mental health resources and counseling services to support the community in the aftermath.
“This has been a difficult day for our school community,” a school representative commented. “We are grateful for the prompt action of emergency personnel and relieved that no students were harmed. Our immediate priority is healing and moving forward together.”
As the investigation continues, this incident is expected to prompt renewed discussions about school safety policies, especially concerning firearms on school property. Further updates will be shared by authorities as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the focus remains firmly on ensuring the well-being of all members of the school community.
