Sunday, February 9, 2025

Police arrest ‘aggressive panhandler’ after he was shot in downtown Wilmington

The incident took place near Princess and North Front streets at 9 p.m. Monday night.

Eric Ryan Gurtler, 33, was shot after aggressive panhandling turned into a physical altercation. (Port City Daily photo / New Hanover County Sheriff's Office)
Eric Ryan Gurtler, 33, was shot after aggressive panhandling turned into a physical altercation. (Port City Daily photo / New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office)

WILMINGTON — A man accused of “aggressive panhandling” was arrested in downtown Wilmington Monday night after he was shot following an altercation.

According to the Wilmington Police Department, officers responding to a report of shots fired discovered Eric Ryan Gurtler, 33, of Belville, around 9 p.m. Monday night near Beer Barrio on North Front Street with “minor injuries” from a gunshot wound. Gurtler was argumentative and hostile” with officers, according to WPD.

Members of the downtown task force then located the man who had shot him: Terrin Horton, 30, of Riegelwood.

Horton told officers that Gurtler had “been harassing him and demanding money, which led to a physical altercation in the roadway,” according to WPD. According to Horton, Gurtler then followed him to his car and attacked him, and which point Horton shot Gurtler.

According to WPD, multiple witnesses gave statements supporting Horton’s version of events.

Gurtler was transported to NHRMC for his injuries. He was then arrested and is now in custody at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office detention center; Gurtler is being charged with breaking and entering a motor vehicle, aggressive panhandling, simple assault, and a probation violation. He is being held on a $55,000 secured bond and is due for his first appearance in court today.

Related: A look at Wilmington’s laws on panhandling, which is protected by the First Amendment — until it’s not

Horton has not been charged, however, WPD noted the investigation is on-going.

Related Articles