Incident/Complaint#: 50-26-5492
Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 3:34 p.m.
Location: Unit Block of Stoney Drive, Dover, DE
Officer Releasing Information: M/Cpl. Ryan Schmid, Public Information Officer
Email: ryan.schmid@cj.state.de.us Phone: 302-736-7130
Narrative: The Dover Police Department arrested Eric Dryden, 61, of Dover, following a barricade incident that occurred on Wednesday. The investigation began at 3:34 p.m. when Dover Police were called to a residence in the unit block of Stoney Drive for the report of a domestic-related incident in which a firearm had been discharged. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim had gotten into an argument with Dryden inside the home. During the argument, Dryden assaulted the victim and, at one point, pointed a firearm at her and discharged a round into a wall inside the residence. The victim was able to safely exit the home and contact police.
Officers attempted to get Dryden to exit the residence but were unsuccessful, prompting a response from the Dover Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Dover Police Crisis Negotiations Team, and Delaware State Police SORT. Due to the location of the incident, significant traffic disruptions occurred, and the Delaware Department of Transportation responded to assist with traffic control.
Dryden exited the residence several times while holding a firearm but quickly re-entered and refused to surrender to police.
During the incident, the decision was made to disable electricity to the residence. As a result, a City of Dover electric employee was escorted to the side of the residence by a Delaware State Police officer operating an armored vehicle and two Dover Police SORT members. While power was being disabled, Dryden discharged a firearm from inside the residence toward the exterior, nearly striking the electric employee and assisting officers.
Dryden eventually sustained a self-inflicted injury inside the residence and subsequently surrendered to police. He was treated on scene by medical personnel and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Dryden remains hospitalized at an undisclosed location and will be formally arraigned on the following charges once medically cleared:
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2 counts)
- Reckless Endangering (4 counts)
- Aggravated Menacing
- Resisting Arrest
- Offensive Touching
Dryden is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners at the Capital School District for opening Dover High School as a safe location for residents displaced during this incident. We also thank the Delaware State Police for their continued support and collaboration, as well as the Delaware Department of Transportation for assisting with traffic control. Our gratitude extends to Kent County Paramedics and Ambulnz for the medical care they provided.
Finally, we offer a heartfelt thank you to the residents who were displaced. Your patience and cooperation allowed us to carry out our responsibilities safely and effectively while ensuring others remained out of harm’s way.
Dover, DE