Somersworth Police: Armed Man Taken Into Custody After Three-Hour Negotiation

SOMERSWORTH, N.H. — On Thursday, November 20, 2025, at approximately 12:52 p.m., Somersworth Police responded to the AT&T Mobility store at 497 High Street for a report of a despondent male armed with a pistol. The man was later identified as James Corbett, 48, of Rochester.

According to police, Corbett fled into the woods behind the store toward the City of Dover. Investigators received subsequent reports that he allegedly pointed the firearm at passing vehicles on High Street while yelling obscenities.

Officers searched the area and, with witness information, moved toward Dover Marine at 17 New Rochester Road in Dover. Dover Police were notified and requested to assist. A Somersworth officer located Corbett in Dover walking on a sidewalk with the firearm in his hand. When confronted, Corbett ran behind a residence off Route 108 toward the Willand Pond recreation area.

Somersworth and Dover officers established a perimeter and located Corbett at the water’s edge. Negotiators engaged with him for about three hours. Police report that while the Strafford County Regional Tactical Operations Unit was removing the firearm, a round was accidentally discharged into the ground. No injuries were reported. Information from a drone unit was relayed to officers during the incident, and Corbett was taken into custody shortly thereafter.

Corbett was charged with:

• Reckless Conduct with a Deadly Weapon (Felony B)

• Resisting Arrest or Detention (Misdemeanor A)

He was held on preventive detention and was scheduled to be arraigned on November 21, 2025, in Dover District Court.

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somersworth Police Department at 603-692-3131. Anonymous tips may be submitted at https://www.somersworthnh.gov/police/webforms/submit-tip.

Credit: Somersworth Police Department.