Man Seriously Injured In Assault Outside Manchester Homeless Shelter

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Fire personnel from the Fire Marshals Office at fire headquarters witnessed an assault on Pine Street just outside their office on Wednesday.

The MFD fire marshals radioed and requested the police at 12:30 p.m. to respond for an active assault and advised there was an unresponsive man down in the street. An AMR ambulance and engine were dispatched to the scene. Pine Street was closed to protect the personnel working on the victim in the street.

When officers arrived, the group had already dispersed and an injured 39-year-old man was on the ground. The man was taken to a local hospital to be treated for severe injuries, according to police.

MPD Spokesperson Heather Hamel said, "Witnesses told police that several people were involved in a physical fight, and as it continued, a female hit a male with a metal pipe multiple times before leaving the area."

The man was transported to the hospital over the radio he remained unresponsive. AMR medics advised the hospital the person had been "struck in the head with a pipe and was still unresponsive."

A member of the fire marshal's office followed two potential suspects who fled from the scene. After several blocks, the police were able to stop a man and woman on Walnut Street just south of Bridge Street. The two people were detained and it is unclear if they face any charges.

Police cordoned off the area with crime scene tape and detectives arrived to process the scene. Blood was visible in the street where the man had been treated by medics.

Detectives photographed the scene and gathered items that were placed in evidence bags, a long metal object was packaged by detectives.

Shortly after, police located Kalee Chaput, 32, and Harry Moy, 41, both of no set address in Manchester. Through the investigation, police established probable cause to arrest the pair. Chaput was charged with felony first-degree assault and was scheduled for arraignment Thursday. Moy was charged with misdemeanor simple assault and released on $250 cash/surety.

After about two hours, Pine Street reopened, and one cruiser remained at the scene. Trauma 24, a bio-hazard crime scene clean-up company, was requested to respond to clean the scene.

On Tuesday, the street in the area around the Families In Transition shelter was closed down so that workers from the DPW could pressure wash the sidewalks and remove the debris left behind by people living on the sidewalks.

Some people returned to the area after the cleaning was completed, and some remained at a new location at Manchester and Chestnut Street.

If Manchester Police release information on the person's condition or any arrests, we will update this article.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news