Authorities have arrested 36-year-old Raul Zavala of Wilmington after he held two coworkers hostage and ignited a fire at a Limestone Road Wawa Saturday evening.
Delaware State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the convenience store at 2030 Limestone Road around 8:20 p.m. on May 9, 2026, following reports of terroristic threats. Officers arrived to find Zavala had trapped himself and two employees in the manager’s office.
When Zavala ignored police orders to come out, he lit a fire in the office’s electrical closet that rapidly grew. The flames eventually forced him from the room, where officers deployed a taser and took him into custody.
A 21-year-old male employee from Wilmington suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized. A 50-year-old female coworker, also from Wilmington, was not hurt.
According to investigators from Delaware State Police Troop 2’s Criminal Investigations Unit, the incident began when the male employee went to discuss an earlier workplace situation with Zavala. Zavala initially shut the door on his coworker but then allowed him inside, where he attacked the man and warned him not to leave.
When the female employee came to check on the situation, Zavala pulled out a knife and threatened both workers while preventing them from leaving. As police tried to enter the office, Zavala ran into the electrical closet and locked himself inside, allowing the two employees to escape.
Zavala was hospitalized for burn injuries he sustained in the fire. Upon his release, he will face multiple charges including:
• Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts
• Unlawful Imprisonment (Felony) – 2 counts
• Arson 2nd Degree (Felony)
• Criminal Mischief – $5,000 or More (Felony)
• Assault 3rd Degree
The investigation remains active under Delaware State Police Troop 2’s Criminal Investigations Unit. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Detective D. Armstrong at (302) 365-8440. Tips can also be submitted through the Delaware State Police Facebook page or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims or witnesses needing support can reach the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center 24/7 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or email [email protected].
