A chilling plot against the University of Delaware Police Department was dismantled this week with the arrest of Luqmaan Khan, a 25-year-old student from Wilmington. The swift action by federal and state authorities prevented what officials are calling a grave threat to the campus community.
The arrest unfolded late Monday night during a routine property check in Canby Park West. Officers observed Khan in a white Toyota Tacoma after hours and initiated a traffic stop, but the encounter quickly escalated when Khan refused to comply and resisted arrest.
A subsequent search of Khan’s truck revealed a loaded .357 caliber Glock handgun, modified with a device capable of converting it into a machinegun. Authorities also discovered multiple high-capacity magazines and a ballistic plate, raising immediate red flags.
The most disturbing evidence, however, was found in a marble notebook recovered from the vehicle. Within its pages, Khan detailed plans for an attack, including specific weapons, tactics to evade detection, and even a layout of the University of Delaware Police Station, identifying entry and exit points.
Federal charges have been filed against Khan for illegally possessing a machinegun, a crime carrying a potential ten-year prison sentence. The investigation extended to Khan’s residence, where authorities uncovered even more alarming weaponry.
A search of his home yielded a 9mm Glock with another illegal machinegun conversion device, a .556 rifle with advanced optics, eleven additional extended magazines, and hollow-point ammunition. A tactical vest equipped with a ballistic plate was also seized.
University officials have temporarily separated Khan from the institution, banning him from all campus properties while the legal proceedings unfold. Interim President Laura Carlson acknowledged the frightening nature of the situation, emphasizing that authorities believe there are no immediate threats to the university community.
Law enforcement officials praised the collaborative effort that led to Khan’s arrest, highlighting the importance of cooperation between federal and state agencies in neutralizing dangerous threats. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for violence and the vigilance required to protect communities.
At the state level, Khan faces felony charges including possession of large-capacity magazines and carrying a concealed deadly weapon, alongside a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the full scope of Khan’s alleged plans.
