Hartly – Delaware State Police Troopers have arrested Michael J. Rhinehardt of Marydel for multiple counts of reckless endangering and aggravated menacing after a shooting investigation near Hartly, according to Director of Public Information, Sergeant Richard Bratz.
Bratz said the incident occurred on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at approximately 1:15 p.m. as troopers responded to a residence on Myers Drive, Hartly for a shooting incident. The investigation determined the residence was occupied by roommates and friends (four adults and one juvenile) who were sitting in the living room. An altercation was initiated by Michael Rhinehardt before he grabbed a firearm and fired multiple shots within the residence, said Bratz.
According to Bratz Rhinehardt smelled of alcoholic beverages and appeared to be under the influence. His girlfriend confronted him and he became upset with her.
The incident escalated when Rhinehardt demanded that everyone leave the residence, even though he did not live there, according to Bratz.
As he became angrier, Rhinehardt exited a bedroom holding a firearm, pointing it at those in the house, said Bratz.
Rhinehardt fired multiple rounds that struck the floor and wall of the residence. One of the victims wrestled with Rhinehardt over the firearm and an additional round was fired during the scuffle.
One of the victims was able to obtain possession of the handgun and struck Rhinehardt in the head and face. After being pulled away from each other the weapon was thrown into a wooded line adjacent to the property and later collected by troopers.
Rhinehardt exited the residence and grabbed an ax and began swinging it at two of the victims who then fled from the residence, said Bratz.
Those who fled were later contacted by patrol units and returned to the scene. A family member responded to the scene and transported Rhinehardt to a local area hospital.
After being treated and cleared from the hospital, Rhinehardt, 20 of Marydel, was transported to Troop 3 where he was processed and charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Five Counts of Felony Reckless Endangering 1st Degree and Five Counts of Felony Aggravated Menacing. He was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in default of an $80,000.00 secured bond.
None of the other people in the residence were injured during the incident.