Juvenile Shoots, Assaults, Threatens Others During Drug Deal: Police

MERRIMACK, NH — Merrimack Police are investigating a drug deal gone bad that allegedly involved a juvenile buyer shooting and beating a juvenile seller with a pellet gun last night, according to police. At just before 9:45 p.m. on May 2, 2017, officers were sent to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua to investigate an assault incident, according to Capt. Denise Roy of the Merrimack Police Department. The victim – the alleged drug dealer – reportedly claimed that another person – the alleged drug buyer – shot her in the parking lot of a local business after a pre-arraigned drug transaction, according to the report.

“A juvenile, who was familiar to the victim, arrived to purchase the drugs and on contact with the victim, began shooting her in the abdomen/torso with a pellet gun,” Roy stated. “After shooting her, the juvenile male began to repeatedly strike the victim in the head with the pellet gun. The juvenile also threatened to shoot the driver of the vehicle by holding the pellet gun to her head. The victim sustained serious, but not life threatening injuries.”

The male then took the drugs and fled the area while the female was transported to the hospital by others who were at the scene. Nashua Police were notified about the incident and then, contacted Merrimack Police, Roy noted.

Merrimack Police “were quickly able to identify the defendant,” he was located, and arrested, she said. The juvenile was held overnight and arraigned today.

Although the victim was involved in illegal activities, Chief Mark Doyle of the Merrimack Police Department said in a statement that he wanted to reiterate to the public how dangerous this situation was.

“This is the second such incident Merrimack Police have investigated within the last several weeks,” he added. “Those involved in the sale of illegal drugs always place themselves at risk and should never assume violence will not occur.”

Roy stated that police were still investigating the incident and further charges may be forthcoming. Patrols in the area where this took place have been increased, she noted.

Police urge anyone with information regarding this incident to contact a member of the Criminal Investigation Division at 603-424-3774.