Two Arrested For Shooting Guns Across River

Two Merrimack men have been charged with felony reckless conduct for nearly shooting a Hudson man while they were allegedly drinking and playing with guns at the Griffin Street boat ramp.

Jonathan M. Chaput, 32, of 5C Woodbury St., Merrimack and Brandon Gallant, 27, of 5A Woodbury St., Merrimack, were arrested on Sunday after police were called to the Merrimack River for a report of two men discharging a handgun and two long guns nearly striking a man operating a metal detector on the Litchfield side of the river.

The Hudson man called police, they say, when he was almost hit by stray birdshot and heavier caliber bullets coming from across the river.

Police arrived at the boat ramp and say they found Chaput and Gallant in possession of several weapons, which they had been firing in the direction of the victim on the opposing side of the river. Police say Chaput had been drinking.

They were arrested and released on $5,000 personal recognizance bail and are
due in Merrimack's district court on Nov. 6.