Full Breakdown
Man Barricades Co-Workers, Sets Fire at Wilmington Wawa, Arrested
5/11/2026, 9:26:50 PM
Incident Overview
On May 9, 2026, at about 8:20 p.m., Delaware State Police troopers responded to a terroristic-threat report at a Wawa convenience store at 2030 Limestone Road in Wilmington. Officers found 36-year-old Raul Zavala barricaded with two co-workers—a 21-year-old male and a 50-year-old female—in the manager’s office. Zavala refused commands, brandished a knife, and ignited an electrical closet, causing flames to spread. The fire forced him to exit, where officers used a taser to subdue him and take him into custody. The male employee suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized; the female employee was unharmed.
Key Individuals and Law Enforcement Response
Raul Zavala, a Wilmington resident, is the primary suspect. Police allege he slammed the office door on the male employee, then let him in, assaulted him, and threatened further harm. When the female employee entered, Zavala allegedly brandished a knife and prevented both workers from leaving. Delaware State Police Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit deployed multiple ground units, a police helicopter, and a taser to subdue Zavala. After the fire was extinguished, he was taken to a local hospital for burn injuries before being transferred to a holding facility.
Timeline of Events
- May 9, 2026, ~8:20 p.m. – Police receive terroristic-threat report at Wawa, 2030 Limestone Road.
- Troopers arrive and find Zavala barricading himself and two co-workers in the manager’s office.
- Zavala slams the door on the male employee, then allows entry; assaults and threatens him.
- Female employee enters; Zavala brandishes a knife and blocks exit.
- Zavala ignites the electrical closet; flames spread, prompting his exit and taser deployment.
- Co-workers escape; male employee hospitalized with minor injuries; Zavala hospitalized for burns and later taken into custody.
Charges and Legal Status
Following medical treatment, Zavala faces a felony indictment that includes possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, two counts of aggravated menacing, two counts of unlawful imprisonment, second-degree arson, criminal mischief involving $5,000 or more, and third-degree assault. Detectives have asked the public for information, providing contact numbers for Detective D. Armstrong and Delaware Crime Stoppers.
Impact, Investigation, and Next Steps
The incident caused minor injuries to one employee and burn injuries to the suspect, but no fatalities. Video footage released by local media showed a large police presence, a helicopter circling the store, and officers establishing a perimeter before Zavala was tasered. Delaware State Police continue to investigate the motives behind the terroristic-threat claim and the sequence of events, while seeking additional witnesses. Zavala is expected to appear before a Wilmington court for arraignment in the coming days.
