Three facing charges after Dover shooting

DOVER — Three men are facing charges in connection with a shooting Thursday, Dover police spokesman Sgt. Mark Hoffman said.

Authorities alleged that Robert Stecher, 20, of Delmar, and Divine Watkins, 22, of Dover, attempted to force entry into Tanagon Sripongsai’s residence in the Dover East Mobile Home Park, 1061 S. Little Creek Road, at approximately 2:28 p.m. During a struggle at the entrance, Sgt. Hoffman said, Mr. Stecher pulled out a revolver and shot; however, the gun did not fire. Mr. Sripongsai, 22, of Dover, then retrieved his own handgun and fired twice at Mr. Stecher and Mr. Watkins, striking Mr. Watkins in the neck, police said.

Both Mr. Watkins and Mr. Stecher fled the scene, police said.

Mr. Stecher was taken into custody near the main entrance to the park, Sgt. Hoffman said.

Mr. Watkins also was located and taken to Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, where he was in stable condition Friday.

Mr. Sripongsai was detained and questioned about the incident.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence, and his firearm was located, in addition to 806 grams of marijuana, police said.

Mr. Stecher was charged with first-degree burglary/home invasion, possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, second-degree conspiracy and attempted theft under $1,500. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution, Georgetown, on a $103,000 cash bond.

Mr. Sripongsai was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and possession with intent to deliver marijuana. He was committed to SCI on a $7,500 cash bond.

Mr. Watkins is facing charges of first-degree burglary/home invasion and second-degree conspiracy.