Man Arrested After Domestic Assault, Barricade and Fire at Shenandoah Avenue Residence

A 33-year-old man is being held without bond following a domestic assault that escalated into a barricade situation and fire inside a Front Royal residence on Monday afternoon.

On February 23, 2026, at approximately 3:46 p.m., officers with the Front Royal Police Department responded to a home in the 100 block of South Shenandoah Avenue for a reported domestic assault.

Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim inside the residence suffering from facial injuries. The victim was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Drew Winder. Photo courtesy of RSW Jail.

The suspect, identified as Drew Richard Winder, 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, fled to an upstairs bedroom where he reportedly armed himself with a knife and other objects. Police say Winder brandished the weapons and made threats to harm officers at the scene before barricading himself inside the residence.

Officers immediately evacuated all other occupants of the home and residents from adjoining properties to ensure their safety.

Negotiators from the Front Royal Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office attempted to establish communication with Winder, but he refused to comply with commands or exit peacefully. The Front Royal Police Department Emergency Services Team and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Team were activated to assist.

While specialty units continued negotiations, authorities say Winder began lighting objects on fire and throwing them down the stairwell toward officers. Personnel on scene quickly removed the burning items from the residence and extinguished them.

Police obtained a search warrant for the residence along with multiple arrest warrants for Winder. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to gain voluntary compliance, officers executed the search warrant and deployed gas canisters into the residence in an effort to safely take Winder into custody.

Seconds later, Winder exited the home and was taken into custody without injury. He was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for precautionary evaluation before being transported to the RSW Regional Jail.

Winder faces the following charges:

• § 18.2-51 – Malicious Wounding
• § 18.2-460(C) – Threats of Bodily Harm to Law Enforcement (four counts)
• § 18.2-57(C) – Assault and Battery on Law Enforcement
• § 18.2-77 – Burning or Destroying a Dwelling House

He is currently being held without bond.

The Front Royal Police Department expressed appreciation to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Warren County Fire & Rescue for their assistance during the incident.