*Update – Suspect Arrested* State Police Investigating Shooting Incident on Route 1 in Smyrna

Date Posted: Friday, March 27th, 2026

The Delaware State Police arrested 61-year-old Curtis Reed, of Wilmington, Delaware, in connection with two firearm-related road rage incidents that occurred on Route 1.

On February 6, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., troopers responded to Route 1 near Wrangle Hill Road, in New Castle, for a report of a road rage incident. The preliminary investigation revealed two victims were traveling northbound on Route 1 near a gray SUV that was described as driving erratically. After a brief verbal exchange, the unknown male suspect operating the SUV pointed a handgun at the victims before driving away. Troopers were provided with a description of the SUV and its driver.

On March 10, 2026, at approximately 5:40 a.m., troopers responded to southbound Route 1 near Exit 119 for a shooting investigation. The preliminary investigation revealed that while traveling southbound on Route 1, an unknown male suspect in a light gray crossover-style SUV shot a firearm, striking the victim’s black BMW twice. The BMW’s driver, a 46-year-old Delaware man, and a passenger were not injured. The suspect vehicle continued southbound after the incident.

The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit took over the cases. Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a gray Nissan Rogue and the driver as Curtis Reed. A search warrant for the vehicle was obtained.

On the morning of March 18, 2026, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team located Reed while driving the Nissan in Wilmington and arrested him without incident. Reed and the vehicle were both taken to Troop 2. Detectives executed the search warrant and recovered a loaded handgun that was concealed in the vehicle.

For the February 6th case, Reed was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and issued a $22,000 unsecured bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts

For the March 10th case, Reed was charged with the below listed offenses, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $24,600 cash bond.

• Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
• Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 2 counts

 

Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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