NOTICE REGARDING NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Delaware’s House Bill 59, which went into effect on October 21, 2026, limits law enforcement’s release of names and photographs, including mugshots. For adults charged with a crime, this information may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. Names and photographs may therefore be omitted from this release to comply with state law. The Dover Police Department remains committed to keeping our community informed within these legal requirements.
Incident Number: 50-26-33011
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 at 11:48 P.M.
Location: 100 Block of Cherry Street, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us
Update: The Dover Police Department has charged two 30-year-old males from Dover in connection with the armed home invasion that occurred on September 16, 2026, in the 100 Block of Cherry Street.
Through the investigation, detectives identified both suspects and obtained warrants for their arrest. One suspect was already in custody at Sussex Community Corrections Center, where he had been held since September 17, 2026 on unrelated charges. He was interviewed and remained in custody pending arraignment.
The second suspect was taken into custody with assistance from Probation and Parole on October 21, 2026. He was processed, arraigned, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $154,000 cash-only bond.
Both suspects were charged with the following offenses: -Conspiracy Second Degree -Robbery First Degree -Burglary First Degree -Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony -Theft (Victim 62 or Older)
OriginalNarrative: The Dover Police Department is investigating an armed burglary at a residence in the 100 Block of Cherry Street late Wednesday evening.
The investigation revealed that a 15-year-old female was sitting on a downstairs couch when an unknown male entered the residence through an unsecured rear door or window. The suspect pointed a black handgun at the victim and demanded money. When the victim stated she did not know what money he was referring to, the suspect took an iPad, iPhone, four bottles of medication, and a Nintendo Switch charging dock before fleeing through the rear of the residence. Four family members were asleep upstairs during the incident.
The suspect was described as a tall, thin Black male wearing all black clothing and a mask.
NOTICE REGARDING NAMES AND PHOTOGRAPHS: Delaware’s House Bill 59, which went into effect on October 21, 2026, limits law enforcement’s release of names and photographs, including mugshots. For adults charged with a crime, this information may be released only when the charge is a felony and disclosure is necessary to protect public safety. Names and photographs may therefore be omitted from this release to comply with state law. The Dover Police Department remains committed to keeping our community informed within these legal requirements.
Incident Number: 50-26-36238
Date/Time: Saturday, October 10th, 2026 at approximately 9:19 P.M.
Location: Parking Lot of Dover Commons Shopping Center, 1200 Block of North DuPont Highway, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us
October 21, 2026 Update: Note: A previous version of this release identified the suspect arrested on October 21st as a 17-year-old male. This was an unfortunate error; the suspect is 18-years-old and was the same age on the night of the incident.
The Dover Police Department has arrested two male suspects in connection with the October 10 shooting in the Dover Commons shopping center parking lot that killed Nasir Cox, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and injured a 21-year-old male.
During the investigation, detectives identified a 22-year-old male from Dover as one of the suspected shooters and obtained warrants for his arrest and a search of his residence.
On October 16, 2026 at approximately 1:10 p.m., members of the Dover Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team, Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, and Criminal Investigations Unit responded to a residence in the 500 block of Crawford Avenue. They were assisted by the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force and Delaware State Police. The suspect exited the residence after the assembled team of officers announced their presence and was taken into custody without incident.
During the search, investigators recovered a 9mm handgun, ammunition, and clothing and accessories matching those worn during the shooting.
Detectives identified a 18-year-old male as the second suspected shooter and obtained an arrest warrant. Information gathered during the investigation indicated that he may be in Sussex County, Delaware or Eastern Maryland.
On October 21, 2026 members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force–Salisbury located the juvenile at a residence in Snow Hill, Maryland. He was taken into custody without incident and is being held in Maryland pending extradition to Delaware.
Both suspects face the following charges:
First-Degree Murder
Attempted First-Degree Murder
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony — three counts
First-Degree Reckless Endangering — four counts
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
“These arrests reflect the persistence, investigative skill, and professionalism required to bring a complex and challenging case to this stage,” said Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson, Jr. “Our investigators worked diligently to identify those responsible, develop the evidence, and coordinate apprehensions across jurisdictional boundaries. I am grateful to the Delaware State Police, the U.S. Marshals Service First State Fugitive Task Force, and the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force–Salisbury for their invaluable assistance. While these arrests cannot undo the harm inflicted, they represent an important step toward accountability and justice for the victims, their families, and our community.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Original Narrative:
The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that left one male deceased and another injured Saturday night in the Dover Commons shopping center parking lot located in the 1200 Block of North DuPont Highway.
Prior to the shooting, thousands of students and visitors attending Delaware State University’s homecoming events were required to end events and leave campus at approximately 6:00 P.M., resulting in large crowds gathering at several nearby shopping centers and other locations. At the time of the shooting, more than 50 officers from the Dover, New Castle County, Wilmington, Smyrna, and Camden police departments, along with Delaware State Police, were already working in the area to manage crowds and respond to large disturbances that included multiple fights, calls for disorderly behavior, and for shots fired at multiple locations.
At approximately 9:19 p.m., officers attempting to control crowds in a nearby parking lot heard several gunshots and observed people running from the Dover Commons shopping center parking lot. Officers responded and located a 21-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. While rendering aid, officers located a second victim, later identified as Nasir Cox, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was also suffering from gunshot wounds.
The Route 13 corridor between Delaware State University and several nearby shopping centers was completely gridlocked with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, which would have delayed emergency medical response. To give both victims the best chance of survival, officers immediately transported them to Bayhealth Kent Campus in police vehicles. Cox later died from his injuries. The 21-year-old male remains hospitalized and is stable at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information or photographs or videos from the area around the time of the shooting is asked to contact the Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-736-7111. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers or the Dover Police Department’s online contact form. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
The following images contain the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notifications for the City of Dover. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.
Date/Time: Friday, October 16th 2026 at approximately 6:39 P.M.
Location: 100 Block of Mitscher 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 two homes on Mitscher Road Friday evening.
Officers responded to the 100 Block of Mitscher Road at approximately 6:39 p.m. for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers discovered that two residences had been struck by gunfire. One home was occupied by two adults, and no injuries were reported. The second home was unoccupied at the time of the shooting. Officer also located multiple spent shell casings from a nearby alley.
Location: Areas of South New Street, Governors Avenue, and Reed Street, Dover, DE
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: Mark.Hoffman@cj.state.de.us
Narrative: The Dover Police Department, with assistance from Delaware Probation and Parole, Delaware State Police, the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service, arrested 14 people during an operation in downtown Dover on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The operation focused on the areas of South New Street and Reed Street, and South Governors Avenue and Reed Street. It was conducted in response to ongoing criminal activity and quality-of-life concerns that have continued despite regular policing efforts.
During the investigation, detectives obtained six search warrants for the grounds surrounding properties on South Governors Avenue. Detectives also observed drug dealing and trespassing at 46 South New Street. All arrests were made without incident.
The 14 adult individuals were charged as follows:
Two individuals: Drug Dealing and Conspiracy.
Eight individuals: Trespassing.
Two individuals: Trespassing, Drug Dealing, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Two individuals: Trespassing and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Bail information was pending at the time of this release.
“Our residents and business owners deserve neighborhoods where they feel safe and where ongoing criminal activity does not interfere with their daily lives,” said the Dover Police Chief, Thomas Johnson Jr. “I thank Delaware Probation and Parole, Delaware State Police, the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance and continued partnership. Their support strengthens our ability to address persistent problems and respond to the concerns of our community.”
The Dover Police Department will continue working with its partners, residents, and business owners to address criminal activity and quality-of-life concerns in the downtown area.
Date/Time: Saturday, October 10th, 2026 at approximately 9:19 P.M.
Location: Parking Lot of Dover Commons Shopping Center, 1200 Block of North DuPont Highway, 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 one male deceased and another injured Saturday night in the Dover Commons shopping center parking lot located in the 1200 Block of North DuPont Highway.
Prior to the shooting, thousands of students and visitors attending Delaware State University’s homecoming events were required to end events and leave campus at approximately 6:00 P.M., resulting in large crowds gathering at several nearby shopping centers and other locations. At the time of the shooting, more than 50 officers from the Dover, New Castle County, Wilmington, Smyrna, and Camden police departments, along with Delaware State Police, were already working in the area to manage crowds and respond to large disturbances that included multiple fights, calls for disorderly behavior, and for shots fired at multiple locations.
At approximately 9:19 p.m., officers attempting to control crowds in a nearby parking lot heard several gunshots and observed people running from the Dover Commons shopping center parking lot. Officers responded and located a 21-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. While rendering aid, officers located a second victim, later identified as Nasir Cox, 22, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was also suffering from gunshot wounds.
The Route 13 corridor between Delaware State University and several nearby shopping centers was completely gridlocked with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, which would have delayed emergency medical response. To give both victims the best chance of survival, officers immediately transported them to Bayhealth Kent Campus in police vehicles. Cox later died from his injuries. The 21-year-old male remains hospitalized and is stable at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information or photographs or videos from the area around the time of the shooting is asked to contact the Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-736-7111. Tips may also be submitted through Delaware Crime Stoppers or the Dover Police Department’s online contact form. Tipsters may remain anonymous.
Date/Time: Sunday, October 4, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Location: Super Cichlids, 1055 Barl Ct. 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 burglary at Super Cichlids that occurred Sunday evening.
Officers responded to the business on Monday, October 5, at approximately 11:51 a.m. after damage to the front door was discovered. The investigation determined that a suspect broke the glass door and entered the business at approximately 8:00 p.m. the previous evening. The suspect remained inside for approximately 40 minutes before leaving.
While no items were initially reported missing, store representatives notified police on October 9 that inventory was missing, including an axolotl, a type of aquatic salamander pet.
The suspect was described as a young African-American male. The investigation remains ongoing, and the suspect has not been identified.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Dover Police Department at 302-736-7111.
The following images contain the newest Megan’s Law Sex Offender Notifications for the City of Dover. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact the Dover Police Sex Offender Enforcement Unit.
