DSU Shooting Today: Fatal Shooting Near Delaware State University Leaves One Dead and Another Injured

DOVER, Delaware — A fatal shooting near Delaware State University has prompted a police investigation following the university’s homecoming events, with one man dead and another hospitalized, according to the Dover Police Department.

The shooting occurred at approximately 9:19 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in the parking lot of the Dover Commons shopping center along the 1200 block of North DuPont Highway. Authorities have clarified that the shooting occurred off campus, rather than at a university facility.

According to police, thousands of students and visitors had attended Delaware State University’s homecoming activities earlier in the day. The university’s events ended at approximately 6 p.m., after which large crowds gathered at nearby shopping centers and other locations. Police were already responding to crowd-related disturbances, fights and reports of gunfire in the surrounding area.

Officers monitoring the crowds heard several gunshots and saw people running from the Dover Commons parking lot. They responded and found a 21-year-old man suffering from an upper-body gunshot wound. Officers then located a second victim, identified as 22-year-old Nasir Cox of Philadelphia, who had also been shot.

Both victims were transported by police officers to Bayhealth Kent Campus for emergency treatment. Cox later died from his injuries. The 21-year-old victim remained hospitalized in stable condition, according to the police department’s October 11 update.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not announced an arrest or confirmed a motive in the information provided by the department.

Police are asking anyone with information, photographs or videos from the area around the time of the shooting to contact the Dover Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-736-7111. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers.

The incident has raised concerns following a busy homecoming weekend, as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence.

Disclaimer: According to Dover police, the shooting occurred off campus at Dover Commons. Details may change as the investigation continues.