Newark Man and Juvenile Arrested Following Social Media Threat

On February 9, 2020, at about 1730 hours, Newark Police received a report of a threat on social media related to a hockey game scheduled for that day at the Patriot Ice Center at 101 John F Campbell Drive in Newark.  The threat was related to a hockey game between Hodgson High School and team of combined players from Newark High School and Tatnall School.  The threat involved a picture of a male holding and displaying a handgun in his waistband with words meant to cause alarm to members of the Newark/Tatnall hockey team.  The game was canceled as a result of the threat.

Newark Officers began to investigate the threat and determined that the subject in the photo with the handgun was a member of the Hodgson High School hockey team.  A search warrant was obtained for his Newark residence where numerous firearms were located, along with marijuana.

The 16 year-old male who posted the threat was taken into custody at his residence without incident. He was transported to Newark Police headquarters where he was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile and Terroristic Threatening. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was released on $4,000 unsecured bail for a future appearance in New Castle County Family Court.

An additional male from the residence, Richard Griffin Jr, 40, was also taken into custody without incident.  He was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Marijuana and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  No photo is available.  He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #2 by video and was released on $7,500 unsecured bail.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact PO J. Almonte at (302) 366-7100 x. 3481 or jalmonte@newark.de.us.  Additional methods for providing information to Newark Police can be found on our tips page.