DOVER, DE – A tense standoff unfolded Wednesday afternoon in Dover after a domestic dispute led to gunfire and a hours-long barricade incident, ending with the arrest of a 61-year-old city man.
According to Master Corporal Ryan Schmid of the Dover Police Department, officers responded to a home in the unit block of Stoney Drive around 3:34 p.m. for reports of a domestic-related incident involving a firearm. Upon arrival, police located the victim, who told investigators that Eric Dryden, 61, had assaulted her, pointed a gun at her, and fired a round into a wall inside the home. The victim managed to escape safely and contact authorities.
When officers attempted to get Dryden to surrender, he refused, prompting a large-scale law enforcement response that included the Dover Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Crisis Negotiations Team, and Delaware State Police SORT. The situation caused significant traffic disruptions in the area as DelDOT assisted with road closures and traffic control.
Shots fired during power shutdown
Police said Dryden exited the residence several times while armed but quickly retreated back inside. During the standoff, authorities decided to cut power to the residence. As a City of Dover Electric Department employee worked to disable electricity, escorted by an armored vehicle and officers, Dryden allegedly fired from inside the home—nearly striking the worker and assisting police.
After several tense hours, Dryden reportedly sustained a self-inflicted injury and surrendered. He received treatment on the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital. He remains hospitalized in stable condition at an undisclosed location.
Once medically cleared, Dryden will be formally charged with multiple felonies, including:
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Two counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited
- Four counts of reckless endangering
- Aggravated menacing
- Resisting arrest
- Offensive touching
Community support during the crisis
Authorities thanked community partners for their assistance throughout the incident. The Capital School District opened Dover High School as a temporary safe haven for displaced residents. Additional support came from the Delaware State Police, DelDOT, Kent County Paramedics, Ambulnz, and the City of Dover Electric Department.
“The cooperation and patience of residents allowed us to carry out our responsibilities safely and effectively while ensuring others remained out of harm’s way,” the department said in a statement.
Key points:
- Eric Dryden, 61, allegedly fired shots during a domestic incident and police standoff
- Utility worker and officers narrowly missed by gunfire as power was cut to home
- Dryden suffered self-inflicted injury before surrendering; charges pending medical clearance