Police arrest three for fight at Long Neck Wawa

An altercation at a Long Neck Wawa led to the arrest of three people Aug. 6, after a fight that led to a gun being brandished within the store.

Delaware State Police say that in the early morning hours of Aug. 4, John Willy, 20, of Millsboro, and Olivia Murphy, 20, of Clayton, entered the Wawa. At some point, Willy engaged in an argument with a 25-year-old employee from Millsboro, who was not identified by police. During the argument, the employee punched Willy, causing him to fall to the ground. When Willy got up and tried to leave, the employee punched him several more times, police say. 

Police say Willy threatened to get a gun and shoot the employee before leaving. Willy then returned to the store, armed with a gun he had retrieved from his car, and began looking for the employee, who had retreated to the back of the store. Police say Willy had racked the slide of the gun and was making threatening statements. When they couldn’t find the employee, Willy and Murphy left the store, where Willy put the gun back in his car. Police say Murphy fled the scene in the car without Willy, who was soon taken into custody without incident. Police say Willy had the smell of alcohol on his breath and minor injuries to his face. The employee was also arrested.

Police say during their investigation, a live 9 mm round was found in the store that had been ejected from Willy’s gun. In a search of the area, police found Willy’s car, where they later found a 9 mm bullet in the center console. The handgun was not found.

On Aug. 5, police located Murphy and interviewed her at Troop 7 in Lewes. During that interview, police say they discovered that Murphy had directly interfered with an investigation and had prevented the discovery of evidence.

Willy was ultimately charged with three felonies, including aggravated menacing, possession of a firearm during the course of a felony and carrying a concealed firearm, in addition to misdemeanor charges of terroristic threatening, possession of a firearm while under the influence and disorderly conduct. 

Murphy was charged with hindering a police investigation and second-degree conspiracy, both felonies. Willy and Murphy were arraigned and released on their own recognizance.

The Wawa employee was charged with third-degree assault, arraigned and released on his own recognizance.