Virginia Perkins was hospitalized in stable condition after bullets struck the New Castle home where she was sleeping with family nearby.
NEW CASTLE, Del. — An 81-year-old woman was wounded while sleeping early Tuesday when a burst of gunfire struck a home in New Castle County, sending bullets through several rooms and narrowly missing other family members inside, according to police and the home’s residents.
New Castle County police said officers responded at about 2:08 a.m. Aug. 18 to the unit block of Rose Lane in the Rosegate community after receiving several reports of shots fired. They found that a home had been struck and that a woman inside had suffered a gunshot wound to her lower body. Officers gave her medical assistance until emergency crews arrived, and she was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Police said she was in stable condition.
The woman was identified in local news reports as Virginia Perkins. Arthur Deramus, 76, said he and Perkins were in bed when the shooting began. Deramus said he dropped to the floor while Perkins remained in bed and was hit by a bullet that came through the home. He said she later underwent surgery. CBS News Philadelphia reported that she remained in stable condition after the procedure.
Deramus described extensive damage inside the house. He told 6abc that he estimated about 16 bullets entered the residence and that about 22 rounds were fired during the shooting. Bullet holes were visible in walls, doors and household items. Police also confirmed that an unoccupied vehicle parked on the street was struck by gunfire.
Other relatives were also inside the home, adding to the danger posed by the shooting. Deramus said his grandchildren had spent the night and that one bullet traveled into a room and struck the mattress used by his grandson. No other injuries inside the home were reported. The close calls left Deramus focused on how easily the shooting could have caused more casualties.
Police have not announced an arrest or identified a suspect. Detectives with the New Castle County Police Criminal Investigation Unit responded to the neighborhood and took over the case. Investigators are trying to determine why the house was struck and who was responsible for firing the shots.
Local reporting indicated detectives were collecting evidence and reviewing surveillance video from the area. CBS News Philadelphia reported that police believe there may have been more than one shooter and described Perkins as an innocent victim. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive or explained whether anyone associated with the home was believed to have been the intended target.
Deramus said he did not know why anyone would fire at the home. He told 6abc that the neighborhood had experienced violence years earlier, including the shooting death of his nephew, but said shootings had not been a recent problem in the area. The amount of gunfire concerned investigators because other homes are located nearby.
Perkins remained listed in stable condition as detectives continued investigating the shooting. Police have asked anyone with information about the gunfire on Rose Lane to contact the New Castle County Police Department. No arrests had been announced as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated August 19, 2026.