Bear Man Arrested for Firing Handgun during Road Rage Incident – Middletown

Stanley BATES

Middletown – The Delaware State Police have arrested 23 year old Stanley L. Bates of Bear, for shooting at two vehicles during a road rage incident, early Thursday morning.

At approximately 12:12 a.m., Thursday, November 15, 2018 three acquaintances, who were driving separate vehicles, were traveling U.S. 13 northbound in the area of Port Penn Rd., in Middletown. A black Acura TL operated by Bates was tailgating one of the vehicles at which time words were exchanged from vehicle to vehicle, as they were in motion. All four vehicles then stopped at a red light on the ramp from U.S. 13 northbound to State Route 1 northbound. As the vehicles were stopped, one of the operators exited his vehicle and approached Bates at is driver’s side door. As he approached, the window was rolled down and Bates pointed a handgun at him, at which time the male retreated to his vehicle. Bates then proceeded to drive on the left shoulder, passing the other two stopped vehicles, and as he passed, fired two rounds through his open passenger door window, striking each vehicle one time. The male who originally confronted Bates was able to obtain Bates’ tag number and contacted the police. None of the parties were injured as a result of the incident.

Troopers located Bates at his Bear area home where he was taken in to custody without incident. They also recovered a Ruger 9mm handgun which was confirmed to be the weapon used during the incident.

Bates was transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with 3 counts of Reckless Endangering 1st Degree, 1 count of Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, and 2 counts of Criminal Mischief. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and released on $27,000.00 unsecured bail.