Tear Gas Used to End Standoff, No Shots Fired: Nearby News

A Wicomico County man is in State Police custody Sunday morning after tear gas forced him out of a house where he barricaded himself overnight, following an armed confrontation with his estranged wife.

The supect is Jason Gregory, 43, who since Saturday had been staying at a house owned by his father in the 3600 block of Meadow Bridge Road in Salisbury. He is being charged with two counts each of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Maryland State Police at the Salisbury Barrack were dispatched to a home in the 3200 block of Phillips Road in Salisbury, for the report of a domestic situation. The suspect, identified as Gregory, was not at the home when troopers arrived.

His wife told police she had asked him to leave the house Saturday; he had returned to their home late Saturday night driving a tractor, was intoxicated and reportedly armed with a long gun. Mrs. Gregory said her estranged husband broke out a sliding glass door and threatened her and a girl in the house with the gun. Gregory then threatened suicide, and left the home stating he would not be ”taken alive.”

State Police located Jason Gregory at the Meadow Bridge Road address, about 1.5 miles from the couple’s home. Knowing he was armed and due to the threats he made, troopers established a perimeter around the home and called for the Maryland State Police Special Tactical Assault Team Element to respond.

Troopers attempted to convince Gregory throughout the night to come out. They called his cell phone repeatedly through the night, but he did not answer. About 5 a.m. Sunday, Gregory yelled his refusal to surrender and said he was not coming out.

At about 6:30 a.m. police fired tear gas into the residence. Gregory came out of the home unarmed and was taken into custody without further incident.

He was to the hospital for an examination. Following his release from the hospital, he will be taken to central booking at the Wicomico County Detention Center, where he will have his initial appearance before a court commissioner.

No shots were fired from the residence by Gregory during the standoff. No shots were fired by police.

State Police investigators are obtaining a search warrant for the house where Gregory was located and will search it later Sunday. In addition to the gun Gregory was seen carrying, investigators believe there may be additional firearms in the residence.