Pakistani Born U.S. Citizen Arrested After Police Uncover Weapons Arsenal and Alleged Mass Shooting Plans

Authorities in Delaware say they may have prevented a devastating tragedy after arresting 25 year old Luqmaan Khan, a University of Delaware student and Pakistani born American citizen, who was allegedly preparing for a mass shooting. Khan was taken into custody on November 24 after officers discovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, tactical gear, and a notebook outlining what investigators describe as premeditated assault plans and extremist motivations.

Shortly before midnight, police officers patrolling Canby Park West in Wilmington noticed Khan sitting alone inside his pickup truck, even though the park was closed. Authorities said his behavior appeared unusual enough to prompt further investigation. When officers approached the vehicle, they saw items inside that raised immediate concern, which led to a search.

Inside the truck, officers found a Glock .357 pistol, several loaded 27 round magazines, and multiple body armor plates. Prosecutors later revealed that the Glock had been fitted with an aftermarket kit that converted it into a semi automatic rifle, which significantly increased its lethality.

The discovery quickly escalated the situation and led officers to look deeper into Khan’s possessions and intentions.

Among the items seized was a notebook filled with handwritten notes that investigators say mapped out a plan to carry out a violent attack on the University of Delaware campus police department. According to ABC 6, the notebook included the following.

A detailed hand drawn map of the police headquarters.
Marked entry and exit routes.
Notes on tactics to avoid being captured.
Specific references to premeditated assault plans.
The phrase, kill all, martyrdom, written on the pages.

One campus police officer was mentioned by name, although authorities have not yet determined why Khan targeted that individual.

Investigators say Khan expressed extremist views during questioning and told officers that achieving martyrdom was one of the greatest things you can do.

After the initial arrest, the FBI obtained a warrant to search Khan’s residence in Wilmington. What they found suggested that the plans written in his journal were part of a broader and dangerous preparation.

Agents recovered the following items.

An AR style rifle equipped with a red dot sight.
A second Glock pistol fitted with an illegal device that converted it into a fully automatic weapon capable of firing up to 1200 rounds per minute.
Eleven extended magazines.
Hollow point ammunition.
A bulletproof vest and additional tactical equipment.

None of the firearms were registered, according to investigators. 

Neighbors told Spotlight Delaware that Khan had once been friendly and approachable but had recently withdrawn from social interactions, keeping mostly to himself. Despite this shift, he had no prior criminal history. Friends and acquaintances have expressed shock over the allegations.

Khan is currently being held on charges of illegal possession of a machine gun, a serious federal offense. Additional charges are expected as investigators continue to review the evidence and evaluate whether broader extremist motivations or networks were involved.

Law enforcement officials credited routine police work with preventing what could have been a deadly attack.

They just randomly drove up in Canby Park West, said New Castle Police Master Cpl. Richard Chambers. Rather than telling him the park was closed, they did police work, and that made all the difference.

Authorities say the investigation remains active, and more information is expected in the coming weeks. The case has raised questions about radicalization, campus safety, and the ease with which individuals can modify firearms to dramatically increase their destructive capabilities.

Officials say that swift action and careful attention to suspicious behavior may have saved many lives.