Delaware neighborhood on edge after masked men with apparent weapons knock on doors of homes
Masked Men Armed with Apparent Rifles Knock on Doors in Mallard Pointe
By Maine News Now
A late‑night incident on Canvasback Drive in the Mallard Pointe neighborhood of New Castle, Delaware, has left residents on edge after police captured footage of two masked men approaching homes with what appeared to be rifles. The New Castle County Police Department released the images on Saturday, noting that the individuals were wearing tactical‑style vests and black hockey‑style masks.
The incident occurred around 10:50 p.m. on Friday, when officers responded to a report of a suspicious person on the 1200 block of Canvasback Drive. Residents who had seen the men described them as “wearing a black mask and a tactical vest” and carrying “what looked like a rifle.” The men knocked on several front doors before fleeing the area. Police say the men may have been using airsoft‑style guns, though they have not confirmed whether the weapons were real firearms.
In addition to the two men seen on camera, officers later observed a group of four people heading eastbound on Mallard Road. The group consisted of two men on bicycles and two on foot. Despite a thorough search that involved a K‑9 unit and patrol officers, the suspects were not found.
The New Castle County Police Department is continuing its investigation and has urged anyone with information—whether it be security footage or eyewitness accounts—to contact the department. Call 911 for immediate assistance or the department’s non‑emergency line at 302‑573‑2800.
Mallard Pointe is a residential community in the western part of New Castle County. The neighborhood is served by the New Castle Police Department and the New Castle County Sheriff’s Office, both of which maintain a rapid response team for incidents such as this. Police officers are on patrol throughout the night, and the department has increased its presence in the area following the incident.
The footage, which was captured on street‑side cameras, shows one man in a tactical vest holding a rifle‑like object as he leans against a front door. A second camera image shows a masked figure in a black vest approaching a house, but without any visible weapon.
While the police have not yet determined the exact nature of the weapons, the department’s statement indicates that they “believe the weapons may have been airsoft‑style guns.” The officers’ priority is to ensure the safety of residents and to locate the suspects.
Residents of Mallard Pointe are encouraged to remain vigilant, review any available home security footage, and report anything suspicious to law enforcement. The New Castle County Police Department has stated that it is working to identify the individuals involved and that it will continue to share any new information with the public.
The incident has prompted a broader discussion about neighborhood security and the use of weapons, real or replica, in residential areas. Local officials have reiterated that any use of firearms—whether live or replica—poses a threat to public safety and that such actions will be investigated thoroughly.
