Police: Wilmington man ditches loaded gun

A Wilmington man was arrested Saturday after city police on proactive patrol say they found him carrying a loaded gun.

Officers with the C Platoon noticed a man about 6:41 p.m. in the area of 10th and Bennett streets "displaying characteristics of an armed gunman," Sgt. Andrea Janvier said. When officers approached the man, later identified as 19-year-old Shamir Rice, he entered a convenience store in the 900 block of Bennett St., causing officers to lose sight of him, Janvier said.

When he came out of the store, officers stopped him outside, she said, while another officer went into the store and found the loaded handgun.

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Police said the Corbray M-11 9mm handgun had been placed on a top shelf inside and further investigation showed Rice put it there.

He was then taken into police custody and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and carrying a concealed deadly weapon.

Rice was taken to Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington after failing to post $7,500 cash bail.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.