Convicted Felon Charged In Manchester Shooting And Arson Fire

MANCHESTER, NH — A 39-year-old Manchester man is accused of shooting at a house and also setting fire to a car on Cartier Street.

Jonathan Santiago Torres of Manchester is accused of a shooting on Spruce Street in May. A man was injured in the shooting; his injuries were considered non-life-threatening, according to police.

In August, Manchester fire crews responded to a two-alarm fire at 65 Cartier St. that destroyed three vehicles and caused significant damage to a three-and-a-half-story building on the city's West Side.

Battalion Chief Plantier and Engine 6 were the first to arrive on the scene at about 4:30 a.m. and were met with a large volume of smoke and fire coming from the rear of the building. Engine 6 crews immediately responded to the alley, where they discovered three vehicles fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the adjacent building.

Firefighters quickly stretched hose lines to battle the blaze from the alley and entered the building to ensure the fire had not spread inside. According to fire officials, crews were able to stop the fire just as it began to enter the building, preventing even greater structural damage.

Arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, and sources indicate it was in retaliation for a different incident. According to police, Tores was identified as the suspect in the car fire.

MPD Spokesperson Heather Hamel said police developed probable cause linking Torres to both incidents. Warrants were issued on Thursday, and Torres was arrested. He was charged with first-degree assault with a firearm, felon in possession of a deadly weapon, and arson.

Torres is being held pending a court hearing.