Suspect responsible for Rehoboth restaurant parking lot shooting arrested

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. – A suspect is in custody following a shooting at a Rehoboth Beach restaurant parking lot last week.

The incident happened just before 1 a.m. Friday, at the Big Chill Surf Cantina on Coastal Highway. Troopers were responding to the scene when they learned of a 27-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg at a nearby hospital.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim was part of a group of several subjects involved in a physical altercation in the restaurant parking lot. During the incident, a man allegedly pulled out a handgun from a bag and fired one shot at the victim before everyone involved fled the scene. The victim was taken to the hospital by private vehicle, where he was treated and released.

Through investigation, police identified the suspect responsible for the shooting as 28-year-old Jonathan Blackwell of Milford. Warrants were obtained for Blackwell, who was arrested in Pennsylvania on Sunday. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Delaware, where he will be charged with first degree assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.

The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective J. Hill at 302-752-3792.