Category: Dover Police News

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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Incident Number:  50-25-42818

Date/Time: Friday, November 28th, 2025 at 11:58 p.m.

Location: 400 Block of Cowgill Street Dover, DE

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

Update: The Dover Police Department arrested a 19-year-old Wilmington Man on Tuesday, April 14th, in connection with a shooting that occurred in Dover on November 28th, 2025. During the investigation, detectives identified Malik Isabell (19) as the suspect in the shooting that damaged an occupied home in the 400 Block of Cowgill Street in Dover. Isabell was arrested in Wilmington without incident and was committed to SCI on a $96,000 cash bond on the following offenses:

-Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony
-Reckless Endangering 1st Degree
-Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (3x)
-Criminal Mischief (4x)

Original Narrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that damaged a home late Friday night. The investigation began at 11:58 p.m., when Dover Police received a call for a shooting in the 400 block of Cowgill Street. Officers responded and made contact with the resident. The ensuing investigation revealed that an unknown suspect shot a gun and struck the victim’s residence. The home was occupied when this incident occurred, and thankfully, there were no injuries as a result of this shooting.

Incident Number:  50-26-11528

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 at approximately 11:15 P.M.

Location: Unit Block of North Governors Avenue, 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 left three individuals injured on Wednesday evening. Officers responded to the unit block of North Governors Avenue at approximately 11:15 p.m. on April 8, 2026, following multiple reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival, officers located a 57-year-old female who sustained graze wounds to her right arm and chest, a 19-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the lower body, and a 41-year-old male with a graze wound to his right arm. The female and 19-year-old male were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The 41-year-old male refused medical treatment.

During the investigation, it was determined that several individuals were involved in a physical altercation in the area. As the altercation was occurring, a suspect described as wearing all black clothing, red shoes, and a camouflage ski mask fired two rounds toward the group. The suspect then fled westbound and was last seen running northbound through an alley just west of North Governors Avenue.

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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