Two NH Men Charged in Rainbow Times Newsbox Explosion

SALEM, MA — Following nearly a two-month investigation, two men have been charged in connection with the explosion of a newsbox belonging to the Rainbow Times back in August.

Detective Kevin St. Pierre has filed criminal complaints against John Richard, 23, of Hollis, NH; and Lawrence Gilman, 20, of Milford, NH with malicious or wanton defacing or damaging property over $250 and throwing, secreting, launching or placing of an incendiary device.

Capt. Conrad Prosniewski told Patch that the two are set to be arraigned Friday morning at 9 a.m. He could not make further comment until after the arraignment. Police were investigating this act as a hate crime.

The dramatic explosion was captured on video, which can be viewed below.

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• Authorities offered a $5k reward for information on the suspects.
• The newspaper responds to the explosion of its downtown newsbox.

Residents gathered downtown following the explosion to show support for the newspaper and unveil a new news box.

This wasn't the first time Rainbow Times newsboxes had been targeted. Rainbow Times co-founder and editor-in-chief Nicole Lashomb told Patch that the paper's boxes have been a target of vandalism 10 times.

Check back with Patch for updates.