Police: Dangerous Shooting Suspect Arrested After Second SWAT Incident

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester police responded to a tip that someone spotted Anthony Barahona, who had warrants for a shooting that occurred Wednesday.

Barahona had been described as armed and dangerous after a shooting at 389 Front St. Wednesday that left a 34-year-old man wounded and set off a SWAT incident and street closure for several hours.

Police closed Front Street Thursday morning at Dunbarton Road and the Amoskeag Bridge intersection. Several members of law enforcement from Manchester police and Hillsborough County deputies were seen on Interstate 293 south with their weapons drawn and searching the woods behind the Front Street address.

SWAT set up in front of the house and could be heard over the loudspeaker instructing people to exit the building, specifically mentioning Barahona by name.

Several people living in the house gathered in the parking lot just north of the address and were being interviewed by police.

After SWAT entered the house with several officers and a K-9, the suspect was located inside the building and taken into custody after a short struggle. Barahona was removed from the building and transported from the scene in the police transport truck. SWAT searched the building for any additional people and did not locate anyone.

MPD Spokesperson Heather Hamel said police set up a perimeter, deployed a drone, and searched for Barahona. He was located hiding inside, on the second floor of the house. Barahona was arrested and charged with first-degree assault with a firearm and reckless conduct.

"I'd like to commend Manchester officers for their hard work and persistence in locating and taking this dangerous individual into custody," Chief Allen Aldenberg said. "The house that this incident occurred at is a known nuisance address. There have been police investigations there, and yesterday, a shooting. Manchester police will work diligently to improve this situation and the area's safety."

Several city agencies met at the scene after the house was cleared, agencies including Manchester Fire, Health Department, Water Works, and the Building Department. Eversource was also contacted to evaluate the electrical line coming to the building, which sources say was put out of service previously.

It was determined there was a household extension cord running into the brush area behind several damaged vehicles. The cord was plugged into a generator used to operate some electrical items inside the house. One source said there had not been running water or working toilets for an extended time. Neighbors said more than a dozen people have lived in the house for months.

Some of the people who visit the house daily were living out of vehicles parked down the street to the North of the address, according to neighbors.

The owner of the building was summoned to the scene by the Fire Marshal’s Office. He could be heard telling authorities he has tried to sell the property but has been unsuccessful. He was advised everyone was currently outside of the building and that they were mandating him to secure the smashed doors and windows with plywood.

The person shot in Wednesday’s incident was near the scene Thursday, he suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and was treated and released from the hospital.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news