Candia Man Re-Indicted In The Fatal Shooting Of His Uncle In Derry In 2023: Follow-Up

CONCORD, NH — A Rockingham County grand jury has re-indicted a Candia man in connection with the 2023 shooting death of his uncle in Derry, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

John Kratz, 31, of Candia, was re-indicted on one count of second-degree murder for knowingly causing the death of John Kratz Jr., 64, by shooting him in the head with a firearm. He was also indicted on an alternative count of second-degree murder for recklessly causing the death of John Kratz Jr. under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by shooting him in the head with a firearm.

The case stems from the May 17, 2023, shooting death of John Kratz Jr. in Derry. According to the attorney general's announcement, previous charges against John Kratz in the killing were dismissed without prejudice in 2024 after a finding that he was then incompetent to stand trial.

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Editor’s note: This post is based on information provided by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and does not constitute a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

The indictments were returned under seal on Nov. 4, along with an arrest warrant. Derry police arrested John Kratz on Nov. 10, 2026.

Rockingham County Superior Court held an arraignment for Kratz on Nov. 12, when the indictments were unsealed. He is currently being held without bail.

A second-degree murder charge can proceed on alternative theories in the same case, and the indictments here allege both a knowing killing and, alternatively, a reckless killing under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life, officials said.

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