Delaware State Police have taken into custody a 61-year-old Wilmington man named Curtis Reed following two separate road rage episodes on Route 1 where firearms were involved.
The first incident took place on February 6, 2026, around 3:00 p.m. when officers were called to Route 1 close to Wrangle Hill Road in New Castle regarding a road rage situation. According to initial findings, two individuals were driving north on Route 1 when they encountered a gray SUV being operated in an unsafe manner. Following a short verbal confrontation, the unidentified male driver of the SUV aimed a handgun at the victims before fleeing the scene. Officers obtained descriptions of both the vehicle and the operator.
The second episode occurred on March 10, 2026, at about 5:40 a.m. when officers responded to southbound Route 1 near Exit 119 for reports of gunfire. Initial investigation showed that as an unknown male suspect drove a light gray crossover-style SUV southbound on Route 1, he discharged a firearm, hitting a victim’s black BMW two times. The BMW’s operator, a 46-year-old Delaware resident, along with his passenger, escaped injury. The suspect’s vehicle continued traveling south following the incident.
The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit assumed control of both cases. Investigators determined the suspect vehicle was a gray Nissan Rogue and identified Curtis Reed as the operator. Authorities secured a search warrant for the vehicle.
On March 18, 2026, in the morning hours, the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team found Reed operating the Nissan in Wilmington and took him into custody peacefully. Both Reed and the vehicle were transported to Troop 2. Investigators carried out the search warrant and discovered a loaded firearm hidden inside the vehicle.
Regarding the February 6th incident, Reed faces the following charges, was processed by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and received 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 incident, Reed was charged with the following offenses, processed by Justice of the Peace Court 11, and sent 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
