On September 23, 2022, at approximately 9:15 pm Middletown Police were in the area Bunker Hill Road and Choptank Road when shots were fired. Two gunshot victims were located in the area with non-life-threatening injuries. The Middletown Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation. Two suspects were arrested and charged in October, 2022, and a third remained outstanding. Further investigation led to the identification of the third suspect, Firas Elbashier, 19, Middletown, DE.
On March 8, 2023, with the assistance of the Delaware State Police SORT Team, a search warrant was served at the home of Elbashier where he was taken into custody without incident. During the search, a handgun and marijuana were recovered.
Elbashier was arrested for the September 23, 2022 incident and charged with two counts of assault 1st, two counts of reckless endangering 1st, one count of conspiracy 2nd, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and one count of carrying a concealed deadly weapon a firearm.
Elbashier was also charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, civil possession of marijuana and civil possession of drug paraphernalia.
Elbashier was arraigned via Justice of the Peace Court 2 and received a $171,002.00 bond. He was transported to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post bail.
At this time the Middletown Police believe all suspects in this incident have been arrested. Police are asking anyone with additional information regarding the incident from September 23, 2022 to please contact Detective Adam Starrett at 302-376-9950 or via email at
astarrett@middletown.delaware.gov. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.
Elbashier, Firas of Middletown, DE 19709 (19 years old)