Salem Shooting Victim Denied Restraining Order In NH: Reports

SALEM, MA — A 33-year-old shooting victim remained in intensive care on Wednesday after she was shot in an apparent murder-suicide attempt on Technology Way in Salem on Monday night.

CBS Boston's Kristina Rex spoke to the victim's mother, who identified her as Lindsay Smith, and said that while she remained in the ICU she was improving after she was shot in the head in the parking lot of Doyle Sailmakers, where she worked, Monday night.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Richard Lorman, 55, of Wilton, New Hampshire, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday night. The DA's office did not publicly identify the victim or update her condition as of Wednesday afternoon.

CBS Boston reported that Lorman was the ex-boyfriend of Smith and that she had been denied a restraining order in New Hampshire after he had begun acting threatening toward her.

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu issued a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the shooting as an "absolute tragedy" and pledging to find out what could have happened to cause the system to break down.

"What happened to Ms. Smith is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with her family," Sununu said. "As soon as this was brought to our attention I immediately contacted the judicial branch and confirmed this matter is being reviewed to the fullest extent possible."

The NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence told Patch the system failed Smith as part of a pattern of women being placed in increased danger when restraining orders are denied in the state.

“The victim clearly showed in her petition that she was in immediate danger, and we are devastated to learn a final restraining order was denied in this case," Coalition Director of Public Affairs Amanda Grady Sexton said in the statement. "Sadly, 43 percent of final protective orders are denied in New Hampshire, and in some cases where the victim has suffered serious injuries and there is an ongoing criminal investigation.

"We call on the courts to launch a comprehensive review of all recent restraining orders to ensure that judges are following all laws and protocols when making these life-altering decisions, and to seek advanced training on domestic violence for all judges presiding over these cases."

Salem and Essex County police were called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday for reports of multiple shots fired.

Salem police said that while there was "no immediate threat to the public" a temporary shelter-in-place order was advised for the area, nearby roads were closed and a reverse 9-1-1 call was sent to area residents.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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