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Troopers Arrest Three Suspects Following Aggravated Menacing Incident at a Millsboro Wawa
The Delaware State Police arrested 20-year-old John Willy of Millsboro, Delaware, and 20-year-old Olivia Murphy of Clayton, Delaware, for multiple felony charges following an aggravated menacing incident at a Wawa in Millsboro early Sunday morning. During the investigation, troopers also arrested a 25-year-old Millsboro man for assault.
On August 4, 2024, at approximately 2:32 a.m., troopers responded to the Wawa, located at 24930 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro, for a report of a male suspect who returned to the business armed with a firearm after a physical altercation with a Wawa employee. Upon arriving, troopers observed the suspect, later identified as John Willy, walking away from the Wawa’s front doors. As troopers took Willy into custody without incident, they observed minor injuries to his face and smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. In the ensuing investigation, troopers learned Willy arrived at Wawa with a woman, later identified as Olivia Murphy. In the store, Willy engaged in a verbal argument with a Wawa employee, identified as the 25-year-old Millsboro man.
During the argument, the 25-year-old man punched Willy, which caused him to fall to the ground. After Willy got up and attempted to leave the store, the 25-year-old man punched him several more times. Willy then threatened to grab a gun and shoot the 25-year-old man before he left the store. Willy returned to the store after retrieving a firearm from his vehicle, and continued to make threatening statements while searching the store for the 25-year-old man. Willy racked the slide of the firearm while searching for the 25-year-old man, who had retreated to the back of the store. Willy and Murphy left the store again, at which point Willy placed the firearm back in his vehicle. Murphy then fled from the scene in the vehicle without Willy.
The 25-year-old man was taken into custody for assault without incident. During the investigation, troopers recovered a live 9mm round in the store that was ejected from Willy’s firearm. Troopers conducted a search of the area and found Willy’s unoccupied vehicle near the Wawa. The vehicle was towed to Troop 7, where a search warrant led to the discovery of a 9mm bullet found in the center console. The handgun was not located. Willy, who declined medical treatment for his injuries, and the 25-year-old man were taken to Troop 7, where they were both charged with multiple crimes. On August 5, 2024, troopers contacted Murphy and requested she respond to Troop 7. Throughout their contact with Murphy at Troop 7, troopers discovered she directly interfered with a police investigation and prevented the discovery of evidence. Murphy was subsequently taken into custody, and charged with multiple crimes.
Willy was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $45,100 cash bond.
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Carrying a Concealed Firearm (Felony)
- Terroristic Threatening
- Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence
- Disorderly Conduct
Murphy was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on her own recognizance.
- Hindering Prosecution the Acts Delayed Prevented or Hindered Discovery (Felony)
- Conspiracy 2nd Degree (Felony)
The 25-year-old Millsboro man was charged with the crime listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, and released on his own recognizance.
- Assault 3rd Degree
