Alleged Rifle Threat Leads to Charges in Concord's South End

A local man was arrested on threat and conduct charges after allegedly pointing a rifle at people arguing in the middle of Chesley Street earlier this month.

Jason T. Carter, 37, of Fayette Street in Concord, was arrested at 6:54 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2015, on two counts of criminal threatening (use of a deadly weapon) and reckless conduct; place another in danger, all felonies. He was also charged with a simple assault warrant.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a New Hampshire Patch police report.

According to an arrest report and court affidavit, officers were called to Chesley Street for a report of a man threatening people with a gun. After they arrived, a tipster reported that the man had entered a home on Fayette Street.

A man, later identified as Carter, came out of the home and was ordered to the ground and secured, according to the reports. After he was found to be free of weapons, he was uncuffed, and reportedly spoke with officers about the incident.

“Carter initially started the conversation by stating that ‘threats were definitely made,’” according to the officer, who also alleged that he smelled like alcohol. “I asked him if he could elaborate for me. He stated that the group of individuals never threatened him but that threats were made. Carter continued to say he indeed did have a rifle in his possession prior to police arriving.”

Carter reportedly stated that the magazine was loaded but there wasn’t a bullet in the chamber. When asked why he left his home with the rifle, he allegedly told the officers that he saw a group of people arguing in the street and he took it upon himself to address the group to defuse the situation.

“He admitted that the individuals did not provoke or saying anything to him but that he felt he needed to keep the neighborhood safe,” according to the officer. “Once on the street, Carter said he approached the group of individuals with the barrel of the gun facing down. He said as soon as the group observed him possessing the gun, the argument stopped and the group immediately vacated the street.”

While speaking with Carter, dispatch told the officer that he was wanted for simple assault after an incident on June 5, 2015, and he was arrested on the warrant. The officer also informed that he would be charged with felony reckless conduct.

Officers at the scene collected witness statements while at police headquarters, the three individuals that claimed the gun was pointed at them filled out statements. They alleged that Carter came out of his home with the rifle and pointed it the head of man who was arguing with his adult sons.

“(Carter) said he is tired of this in the neighborhood (and) then pointed at my dad,” one man alleged.

The officer received the other witness statements from both other family members and those who saw what went on during the altercation and they all made the same allegations about the incident against Carter. Two felony criminal threatening charges were then added and he was held on $15,000 cash bail.

June 5 assault incident

In the earlier incident, according to a warrant, police were sent to the American Legion on Perley Street for a report of a fight. A man alleged that Carter jumped him while he was walking on South State Street and he fell to a knee. Carter then allegedly punched him in the head. The officer noted scraps and injuries that were consistent with the allegations.

A description was put out on the radio for Carter and another officer caught up with him in another area of Perley Street. Carter reportedly had fresh blood on his hand and dirt all over the front of his shirt. When asked about the blood, he allegedly replied, “Oh, it’s nothing.” When asked about the dirt, he reportedly claimed that he hopped a fence earlier and fell on the ground but he couldn’t describe which fence or where it happened, according to the report.

Carter was asked about an altercation with the victim and, at first, allegedly told the officer he didn’t know what he was talking about. Later, he allegedly changed his story and stated that words were exchanged but denied it was physical. He reportedly stated it concerned a relationship issue and he confronted him about it when he saw him walking on the street, according to the report.

“Carter did feel the need to tell me that he could kick (the victim’s) a-- if he wanted to but probably wouldn’t get the chance because (he) would just run away because he’s a p----,” the officer alleged in the arrest warrant.

Carter was released but later, another officer reportedly spoke with other patrons at the American Legion that alleged that Carter “specifically went to the American Legion that night looking to pick a fight with (the victim)” but he left after not seeing the victim, according to the warrant.

A warrant was filed on June 9, and the charge was added to Carter’s docket after being arrested on Aug. 7.

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