State Police Arrest Dover Teen for Threatening Smyrna Residents with Knife

Date Posted: Friday, May 8th, 2026

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The Delaware State Police arrested 18-year-old Aaron Jernigan, of Dover, Delaware, on felony aggravated menacing and related charges after using a knife to threaten residents in a Smyrna community in mid-April.

On April 18, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., troopers responded to the Holly Hill Estates community in Smyrna for a report of a disorderly man threatening residents. The preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown male suspect engaged in a loud verbal dispute with several community members before brandishing a pocketknife and threatening to harm them. The suspect fled the area before troopers arrived.

Through continued investigative efforts, troopers identified the suspect as Jernigan and obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On May 5, 2026, Jernigan was located and arrested in Dover. He was taken to Troop 9 where he 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 $16,100 secured bond.

Mugshot Image of Aaron Jernigan