Incident Number: 50-26-9093
Date/Time: Thursday, March 19th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Unit Block of S. New Street, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us
Narrative: On March 19, 2026, at approximately 5:31 p.m., officers from the Dover Police Department were dispatched to the area of South New Street in reference to a reported shooting.
Upon arrival, officers began an investigation which revealed that two unknown black male suspects approached the area by walking eastbound through residential yards, crossing Queen Street, and entering a yard in the Unit Block of South New Street. At that time, a group of individuals was gathered in the area.
One of the suspects discharged a firearm, firing at least three rounds in the direction of the group. As a result, one male victim (32) sustained two gunshot wounds to the right thigh. The victim was transported to Bayhealth Hospital by a private citizen for treatment with non-life threatening injuries.
During the incident, a second victim was seated in the driver’s seat of a parked vehicle across the street when a projectile struck the driver’s side rear window, causing damage. A third victim’s unoccupied vehicle, which was parked in a driveway in the Unit Block of South New Street, was also struck by gunfire, resulting in damage to the hood and grille of the vehicle.
Officers recovered multiple shell casings from the backyard of a residence in the Unit Block of South New Street.
Following the shooting, the suspects fled westbound on foot through residential yards, crossing back over Queen Street.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7145. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted to law enforcement through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com ; a cash reward is possible for information leading to an arrest.
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