🚨 BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A 25-year-old Bridgewater man is facing multiple weapons and assault charges after a tense 34-hour standoff with police ended Saturday morning with the suspect suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Acting Chief of County Detectives Meredith McKay, and Bridgewater Township Police Chief John B. Mitzak identified the suspect as Eric J. Thorogood.
Authorities said the incident began Thursday, May 7, around 7:44 p.m. when Bridgewater police responded to a 911 call involving Thorogood at a home on Hill Lane. Officers were told he was armed with two firearms.
After repeated attempts to make contact were unsuccessful, the Somerset County SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiations Team, and tactical medics were called to the scene.
Officials said negotiators spent the next 34 hours trying to peacefully convince Thorogood to surrender while nearby residents were evacuated for safety.
According to prosecutors, Thorogood repeatedly refused commands to exit the home or drop his weapons.
The standoff ended around 6 a.m. Saturday when SWAT officers entered the residence and encountered Thorogood allegedly armed with a rifle and handgun.
Authorities said Thorogood fired three shots during the confrontation and struck himself in the leg. Officials emphasized that no officers fired their weapons and no law enforcement personnel suffered serious injuries.
SWAT members rendered medical aid before Thorogood was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Investigators later executed a court-authorized search warrant at the residence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Thorogood was charged with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, possession of a firearm without a serial number, endangering another person, aggravated assault, and possession of a high-capacity ammunition magazine.
Authorities said he will be transported to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing once released from the hospital.
