WILMINGTON, DE – Following an investigation by the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, a New Castle County grand jury charged a Dover man with multiple felonies for removing and pointing a handgun toward others while he participated in a counter-protest on September 24, 2020. Michael Hastings, 60, is charged with Reckless Endangering First Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and faces a minimum mandatory prison sentence. The Division of Civil Rights & Public Trust will lead his prosecution.
“The right to free expression should be free of danger,” said Attorney General Jennings. “This is not responsible gun ownership. A firearm is a deadly weapon, period, and there is never a good reason to point it toward anyone except in self-defense. Mr. Hastings’ actions endangered others and we will prosecute him fully.”
The incident happened at a BLM protest in Wilmington in September.