WILMINGTON, Del. — A University of Delaware student was arrested after police reportedly found a handgun, ammunition, and written plans to attack the campus police department.
New Castle County Police say patrol officers were conducting a property check at Canby Park West on Nov. 24 when they observed a truck there after hours, ABC reports. Officers allege the driver, 25-year-old Luqmaan Khan, appeared “visibly nervous” during a traffic stop, avoiding eye contact and not complying with officers’ commands to exit the vehicle. He was detained for resisting arrest.
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A subsequent search of Khan’s vehicle uncovered a loaded handgun, a micro-conversion kit for a handgun, four loaded 27-round extended magazines, and an armored ballistic plate. Officers also reportedly discovered a notebook with attack plans that referenced a member of the University of Delaware Police Department by name and included a layout of the police department with entry and exit points.
“In the handwritten notebook, Khan discussed additional weapons and firearms, how they could be used in an attack, and how law enforcement detection could be avoided once an attack was carried out,” the Justice Department said. The notebook also reportedly said, “Battle efficiency: kill all — martyrdom.”
Police executed a search warrant on Khan’s home the next day where they allegedly recovered a handgun equipped with an illegal machine gun conversion device and hollow-point ammunition, as well as a rifle with a scope and a red dot laser sight. Investigators also reportedly recovered more ammunition, a tactical ballistic vest, and a ballistic plate.
During an interview with Khan, police say he told them becoming a martyr was “one of the greatest things you can do” and “a goal” of his.
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UD Interim President Laura Carlson said in a statement that the school has banned Khan from all UD campuses.
“There are no known or immediate threats to the University of Delaware community,” Carlson wrote.
Khan, who was born in Pakistan, is a U.S. citizen with no prior arrests. He faces two federal charges, including possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered firearm, as well as several state charges. He remains in FBI custody with a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 11.
