In a gripping series of events that has rocked the quiet streets of Dover, Delaware, 19-year-old Brandon Carter finds himself at the center of a storm of criminal allegations. From a brazen early-morning shooting at an occupied residence to a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle, Carter’s actions have drawn the intense scrutiny of law enforcement and left the community on edge. As the Delaware State Police and Dover Police Department piece together the details, a chilling portrait emerges of a young man entangled in a web of reckless and dangerous behavior.
The saga began on July 11, 2025, when the tranquility of Washington Place in Dover was shattered at approximately 5:20 a.m. by the sound of gunfire. Delaware State Police troopers rushed to the scene after receiving reports of shots fired, only to discover that multiple rounds had been unleashed on a residence occupied by five adults and three children. Miraculously, no one was injured, but the incident sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, prompting a relentless investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit.
Through meticulous detective work, authorities identified Brandon Carter as the alleged shooter. By the time this breakthrough came, Carter was already behind bars at Sussex Correctional Institution, detained on unrelated charges from a separate incident that showcased his apparent disregard for the law. On August 22, 2025, detectives descended on the correctional facility to serve arrest warrants, and the following day, Carter faced a slew of serious charges. He was formally accused of eight felony counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree for endangering the lives of the eight occupants of the targeted home, along with one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief for property damage under $1,000. Arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 7, Carter was ordered held at Sussex Correctional Institution on a secured bond of $48,050, as the gravity of his alleged actions loomed large.
But the Washington Place shooting was not Carter’s only brush with the law. Just weeks prior, on July 31, 2025, he led Dover Police on a heart-pounding pursuit that began when officers spotted a stolen 2018 Hyundai Tucson in the area of North DuPont Highway and River Road. Around 6:42 a.m., police attempted a traffic stop, but Carter, identified as the driver, had other plans. He floored the accelerator, sparking a dramatic chase that tore through Dover, Hartly, and into Smyrna. The pursuit came to a crashing halt on Wheatley’s Pond Road when a Clayton Police officer deployed a tire deflation device, causing the vehicle to careen into a house. Undeterred, Carter attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly apprehended by officers.
Inside the stolen vehicle were two passengers: 18-year-old Nasir Peace of Dover and a 15-year-old male. Both were taken into custody without incident. A search of the Hyundai revealed tools commonly used in vehicle theft, further implicating the trio in a broader scheme. For his role in the chase, Carter was initially committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $9,004 secured bail, facing a litany of charges including possession of burglar’s tools, receiving stolen property valued over $1,500, disregarding a police signal, conspiracy in the second degree, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of a collision, and multiple traffic offenses. Nasir Peace was released on a $4,000 unsecured bond, while the juvenile was released to a guardian, but Carter’s troubles were far from over.
As the dust settled, the Delaware State Police linked Carter back to the July 11 shooting, adding a new layer of felony charges to his already extensive rap sheet. The investigation into the Washington Place incident remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. Detective E. Paneda, reachable at 302-698-8444, is leading the charge, while tips can also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333 or via private message to the Delaware State Police’s Facebook page. For those affected by the incident, the Delaware Victim Center offers 24/7 support at 1-800-842-8461 or via email at [email protected].
Brandon Carter’s alleged crimes paint a troubling picture of escalating criminal activity in Dover, from endangering lives with gunfire to leading police on a dangerous chase in a stolen vehicle. As he remains behind bars at Sussex Correctional Institution, the community awaits justice, hoping for answers and closure in a case that has left an indelible mark on the capital city.
