Gunshot Leads to Four Arrests on Assault, Drug, Other Charges

MANCHESTER, NH - It was another ruckus afternoon in the Queen City yesterday where gunfire and an assault report led to the arrest of four, according to police.

Arrested on May 25, 2016, were:

• Orlando Velez Casiano, 23 pictured upper left, of Second Street in Manchester, for reckless conduct.
• Jailene Vega Pagan, 24 pictured upper right, of Second Street in Manchester, for second-degree assault.
• Keishla Casiano, 22, pictured lower right, of Spruce Street in Manchester, for resisting arrest or detention and simple assault.
• Katria Cancela, 29, of Spruce Street in Manchester, for possession of controlled drugs-heroin.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Manchester Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link, which explains New Hampshire Patch's police log name removal policy.

According to police, at just before 3:30 p.m., officers were called to the area of Maple and Spruce streets for a report of a fight involving a firearm. A witness called dispatch and stated one of the males on scene had fired a handgun into the air, which dispersed the crowd engaging in the altercation, according to the report.

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Numerous officers arrived and spoke with the victim, an 18-year-old woman, and a woman in her 60s who was a witness. The victim alleged that Vega Pagan had “struck her several times with a set of brass knuckles,” according to Lt. Brian O’Keefe of the Manchester Police Department. The male party – Casiano – allegedly fired a handgun into the air before fleeing the area with Vega Pagan.

The teen was taken to the hospital with injures to her head and face.

A detective caught up with Cancela as she was reportedly hurriedly walking away from the area of the initial altercation.

“She was sweating profusely and appeared to be avoiding contact with the detective, so he felt she may have been involved in the fight or may have been involved,” O’Keefe alleged. “He observed a large object inside of her shirt so he asked her what it was. She removed it as she opened the small package, which released an unknown quantity of a powdery substance into the air.”

A female officer was called to the scene and a stash of drugs was allegedly removed from her shirt, according to the report, 0.8 grams of a powder that tested presumptive positive for heroin. She was arrested and released on $500 cash bail.

On Spruce Street, officers caught up with Casiano who was found behind her residence, according to police.

“(An officer) Casiano attempt to leave the rear of the address as the officers investigated the initial shooting call for service,” O’Keefe stated. “She allegedly assaulted the officer by kicking him in the shin as he attempted to detain her and make sure she was not armed and/or involved in the call for service. The officer did not sustain a serious injury and immediately returned to work.”

Casiano was arrested and released on $500 cash bail.

Casiano and Vega Pagan were later arrested at police headquarters after they reportedly came in to speak with investigators about the incident. She was released on $1,000 cash bail and he was released on personal recognizance bail.

“Detectives confiscated a handgun from Velez Casiano,” O’Keefe noted.