‘Sword Tricks’ Leads to Self-Inflicted Wounds, Assault on NH Police Officer

MANCHESTER, NH — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges after an alleged assault incident after accidentally striking herself in the head while performing "sword tricks," according to police. Lisa Bunker, 51, of Manchester, was arrested on Jan. 23, 2017, for simple assault, reckless conduct, and resisting arrest or detention.

Editor’s Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Manchester Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

Officers in Manchester were called to Massabesic Street for a report of a possible domestic incident involving a sword. When they arrived, they spoke with Bunker who reportedly stated that she had been performing “sword tricks” earlier in the evening when she accidentally struck herself in the head, causing a cut above her left eye, according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department.

Bunker’s ex-husband, a 37-year-old man, reportedly attempted to remove the sword from her hands so she wouldn’t cause further injury and this action resulted in small lacerations to both of his hands, according to police.

During the course of the investigation, an officer requested Bunker show her what she was doing and she reportedly “began demonstrating her sword tricks” without the sword and during the process of doing this, she allegedly had “unprivileged physical contact with the officer as she struck him in the face with her hands,” O’Keefe noted.

“She started to walk away from the officers and began swearing at them while they attempted to place her into custody,” O’Keefe alleged. “She physically resisted the process by curling up on the floor while concealing her hands underneath her body. She was ultimately placed into custody and provided an opportunity to be seen by AMR. She refused medical treatment, so she was transported to police headquarters.”

The victim was medically cleared at the scene, requiring no further medical treatment, and the sword was located and placed into evidence.

Bunker was arrested, charged, and held, and will be arraigned in court today.