Officers found a modified.357-calibre Glock pistol fitted with a conversion kit to function as a semi-automatic rifle, multiple 27-round magazines, body-armour plates and a notebook bearing detailed combat plans. The journal included diagrams of a building marked “UD Police Station,” maps of entry and exit points, and repeated references to “kill all” and “martyrdom.”
A subsequent search of Khan’s Wilmington home uncovered further weaponry, including an AR-style rifle with a red-dot scope, a second Glock pistol modified with an illegal machine-gun conversion device capable of firing 1,200 rounds per minute, hollow-point bullets, additional extended magazines and a tactical vest. None of the weapons were registered.
Khan, reportedly born in Pakistan but raised in the United States, had no prior criminal record. Neighbours described him as previously friendly, though his demeanour had become withdrawn in recent months. Authorities allege he had targeted the university’s campus police, naming a specific officer in his notes. Following his arrest, he was handed over to federal custody. His defence counsel has not yet commented publicly.
Police credited the timely intervention of officers for preventing what could have been a major tragedy. According to a statement from the lead agency, the spontaneous decision to search the vehicle “rather than simply issuing a warning” proved critical in averting a planned attack.
Under federal charges, Khan faces potential convictions for possession of an unregistered machine gun, possession of large-capacity magazines and other firearms offences; if convicted on the machine-gun count alone, he could serve up to 10 years. Prosecutors have indicated that additional charges may follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.