Manchester Teen Faces Additional Charges After Goffstown Shooting

GOFFSTOWN, NH - Christopher Lacerte, 19 accused of shooting another man Sunday in Goffstown appeared in Hillsborough Superior Court via video Wednesday.

Lacerte was originally charged with first-degree assault with a deadly weapon after being arrested on Longwood Ave in Manchester on Monday. After the arrest officers from Manchester Police, Goffstown Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at the Longwood Ave address and his vehicle.

In court, Lacerte was arraigned on the first-degree assault with a deadly weapon charge, a class-A felony, and several additional charges.

Prosecutor Carl Olson in court outlined what allegedly happened the night of the shooting. Lacerte allegedly drove from Manchester to Tibbetts Hill Road to meet with his ex-girlfriend who he dated 2.5 years ago. When Lacerte arrived at the address while still in his vehicle, a 22-year-old man identified as a friend of his ex-girlfriend approached Lacerte's black Chevy Cruze and began to argue.

The ex-girlfriend was about 30 feet away and said she saw the 22-year-old man reach into the vehicle and make what appeared to be punching movements. She then heard gunfire, and the victim fell to the ground and was suffering from a gunshot wound. Lacerte allegedly sped off in the direction of Manchester.

Goffstown Police interviewed the victim at the Elliot Hospital about five hours after the incident. He refused to give the name of the person who allegedly shot him, detectives eventually were able to get the identity from the victim. He stated that “Chris” and he had a verbal altercation about 6-months prior. Detectives asked the victim if Chris was using self-defense when he shot the victim. Court documents say the victim told detectives “Someone who punches someone shouldn’t get shot”.

Olson also outlined that when police executed the search warrant on Longwood Ave they found two discharged casings from a 9mm gun. In the Longwood Ave residence, they removed a Glock 9mm with several magazines and 13 boxes of 9mm rounds.

Olson said they also found drugs in a backpack that belonged to Lacerte. The backpack contained mason jars of marijuana, oils, extracts, a scale, and $8,000 in cash.

Lacerte is facing additional charges of theft by unauthorized, felony, and theft by unauthorized, a misdemeanor. The alleged incident involved an investigation at the Manchester Walmart of stolen merchandise. The investigation revealed an employee who is a minor was involved with the alleged theft and Lacerte faces a charge of contributing the delinquency of a minor a misdemeanor.

Defense Attorney Sven Wilberg who was retained by Lacerte’s family argued that Lacerte should be released on personal recognizance because the most serious charge of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon may be a case of self-defense. Wilberg pointed out to Judge N. William Decker that Lacerte has a black eye from being punched by the victim of the shooting. Lacerte pulled his mask down to expose the black eye to the judge.

Olson stated that the victim of the shooting suffered serious injuries and it is anticipated he will be in the hospital for more than a week. He said the victim has rib injuries from the shooting and a spinal injury. Olson told Judge Delker that based on the serious injuries and that Lacerte drove to the house with a gun he is a danger and should be held on preventative detention.

Judge Delker ordered Lacerte to be held on preventative detention for the first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and set personal recognizance for the other charges that Lacerte is accused of.

Attorney Wilberg asked that an evidentiary hearing be held so that witnesses and officers can be cross-examined.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news