Day: April 17, 2026

Incident Number:  50-26-12579

Date/Time: Friday, April 17th, 2026 at 12:34 a.m.

Location: 100 Block of Willis Road, Dover, DE

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that damaged an occupied apartment in the 100 Block of Willis Road. Officers responded to the area for a report of shots fired at approximately 12:34 a.m. on Friday, April 17th. At the time no damage was observed and no information was offered by anyone in the area. At approximately 9:06 a.m., another call was received from a resident who advised that they had damage to their residence. Detectives located a window that had been shot with the round traveling into a wall in the kitchen of the apartment. No injuries occurred, but the apartment was occupied by one person.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7145. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com. A cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest.

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Incident/Complaint#:  50-26-12573

Date:  Friday, April 17th, 2026 at 8:38 A.M.

Location: 640 S. State Street, Dover, DE (Bayhealth Kent Campus)

Contact:   Dover Police Department Public Information Officer
Lieutenant Mark Hoffman   Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us

Narrative: The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Ryan Renda (27) of Dover. Renda was last seen at approximately 8:38 a.m. after he fled from the Bayhealth Kent Campus where he was being held for treatment. Renda is described as a white male, 6″1″, 175 pounds. He was last seen wearing brown shorts and yellow socks. If you have any information on Renda’s whereabouts, please call 302-736-7111.

A photo of Renda was unavailable at time of release.

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On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Dover Police Department, in partnership with the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, Delaware Probation and Parole, and the Smyrna Police Department, conducted a coordinated human trafficking operation in Kent County, with a focus in Dover.

During the operation, investigators made contact with a total of thirteen females engaged in commercial sex work. Each individual was offered various support services through FBI Victim Specialists, Dover Police Victim Specialists, and the Dover Police Behavioral Health Unit. Follow-up outreach and services are ongoing for those who remain in contact with investigators.

Additionally, members of the Dover Police Department arrested three males for Patronizing a Prostitute. Those charged include:

· Courtney V. Donnatien (DOB: 07/31/1982)

· Nathaniel Allen (DOB: 02/19/1971)

· Davon Spence (DOB: 12/21/2000)

All three individuals were charged with Patronizing a Prostitute and released.

In total, the operation resulted in 15 contacts, reinforcing the importance of combining enforcement actions with outreach and service-based support.

Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson provided the following statement:

“This operation highlights the value of strong partnerships and a coordinated approach to addressing human trafficking and related criminal activity. By working alongside our federal, state, and local partners, we are able to identify potential traffickers, hold offenders accountable, and connect individuals involved in commercial sex work with services and support aimed at providing safer, alternative life paths. These efforts are critical to improving public safety and continuing to disrupt criminal networks operating in our communities.”

“We are proud of our collective success during this operation,” said FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul. “The FBI remains committed to combatting human trafficking in our communities. More than a dozen women impacted by this heinous crime now have access to vital support and resources to help them move

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