Dover police investigate late-night reports of suspected gunfire across city

DOVER, Del. – The Dover Police Department is investigating after receiving multiple reports of gunfire across the city, between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on Sunday night.

Police say several reports came within a very short period of time, prompting officers to check numerous locations, but found no evidence of gunfire. Some of the reported ares included the following:

• Nimitz Road
• Washington Street
• State Street
• Woodcrest
• Sunset Road
• Bradford and Mary Streets
• Manchester
• Lakeview Drive
• Area of Silver Lake

No injuries or property damage were reported, and callers described hearing the sounds without seeing the source of any gunfire. Officers believe that, due to the reports coming from across different areas in a short period of time, combined with descriptions of engine acceleration followed by loud popping noises, that the sounds possibly came from a vehicle traveling throughout the city.

“Based on that information and the absence of evidence of a shooting, we believe a vehicle with an unusually loud or modified exhaust was the likely source, with some intent by the driver to cause a disturbance with their driving,” the agency said in a post to social media. “Drivers are reminded that Delaware law requires properly functioning mufflers that meet manufacturer specifications and prevent excessive or unusual noise.”