Brother And Sister From Hudson Arrested After Manchester Park Shooting

MANCHESTER, NH — Two people from Hudson have been arrested in connection with a shooting at Arms Park in Manchester on July 1, according to police.

Around 12:30 a.m., police were sent to the park for a “shots fired” call after a witness reported a white car speeding through the parking lot, firing shots, and leaving the area, Heather Hamel, the public information officer for the Manchester Police Department, said.

“Arriving officers spoke to witnesses who said a group of people had been in the parking lot, and a white car was doing donut-style burnouts around them,” she said. “People were also running around the lot, chasing after the car. During the incident, witnesses heard several pops that sounded consistent with gunshots.”

John R. Williams, 21, of Kienia Road in Hudson or Pinnacle Street in Hooksett was arrested first on July 31 on reckless conduct-deadly weapon, witness tampering-induce another, and falsifying physical evidence charges, all felonies. A motion was made to seal the arresting agency information, which was granted Thursday. John Williams was video arraigned Thursday and held without bail.

According to complaints filed in court, John Williams “attempted to induce (his sister) and others to withhold information about his identity,” sending a message to his sister saying, “Y'all don't know me.” He was also accused of firing four shots from a shotgun while standing out of the sunroof of the vehicle. John Williams was also accused of sending a text to his sister requesting she grab the shotgun shells, saying, “You need to find those.”

His sister, Ava Nicole Williams, 18, of Kienia Road in Hudson, turned herself in on a warrant on felony counts of reckless conduct-deadly weapon and falsifying physical evidence as well as false report and reckless conduct misdemeanor counts. She was given $200 cash bail with a probable cause hearing booked for Aug. 9.

According to a complaint, she “concealed a shotgun shell from law enforcement in her pocket after removing it from her vehicle while being stopped by police” and “discarded the shell after being released by police.” She was also accused of giving the name of another person to police, “identifying him as the person who committed the crime of reckless conduct.”

John Williams, who previously lived in Hooksett, was arrested on felony second-degree assault, simple assault, and criminal mischief charges in that community in August 2022, according to court records. He was indicted later on the felony charges. John Williams pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge while the other charges were nolle prossed as part of a plea deal on Feb. 26. He received a 90-day sentence, suspended for a year, and a $469 fine. John Williams was also required to submit to the state “a two page research, (double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, one inch margins) to the state at time of sentencing describing the dangers of strangulation.” Restitution was required within 90 days or the end of May.

There is no indication from the court records that either requirement was satisfied.

If anyone with information about the case was asked to contact Det. James Pittman at 603-792-5551.

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