No Arrests In Fatal Shooting Of Teen In Milford At Dollar General

MILFORD, NH - The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office confirms that no arrests have been made yet in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Gage Cassen Thursday in the parking lot of Dollar General.

“The investigation into Gage Cassen’s death is ongoing. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.” according to Michael Garrity, the Director of Communications for the Attorney General’s Office.

"Investigators are continuing to look into the sequence of events leading up to the shooting and continue to ask any residents or citizens in the area of the store at the time who have not already spoken with investigators to please contact the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit at 603- 223-3856, or via email at MCU@dos.nh.gov.”

Police responded to the location on Wilton Road at about 8:26 p.m. on Thursday for reports of gunshots outside the store, which is located at 70 Wilton Road. Responding officers arrived to find evidence of multiple gunshots in the parking lot.

Further investigation led them to the rear of the property, where they discovered a deceased man who appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound. Sources indicate the man was found near the dumpster on the left side of the building. However, no official information has been released to the exact location.

An autopsy on Gage Cassen of Derry was performed Friday by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Mitchell Weinberg. The cause of Cassen’s death was a single gunshot wound to the chest, and the manner of death was a homicide.

Senior Assistant Benjamin Agati said the incident was “over in seconds,” although the investigation is ongoing, it does not appear to be random. Multiple people were involved, but the exact number is unknown at this time.

One firearm was recovered at the scene. It is unknown if more than one weapon was involved and who may have fired it. Ballistic evidence recovered at the scene is being analyzed.

The Dollar General store was open at the time of the shooting, however no employees from the store appear to be involved in the parking lot incident. Agati went on to say that police have spoken to many witnesses but know there were people at the location at the time of the shooting who left before police arrived. He urged those people to contact investigators and shared some may have left in fear for their safety, which is a normal reaction.

Friday morning, state police Major Crime investigators were seen collecting evidence and taking photographs inside and outside the store.

Friday morning, state police Major Crime investigators were seen collecting evidence and taking photographs inside and outside the store.

Three ballistic evidence markers could be seen taped to the side of the building, where it appears bullets caused damage.

At the entrance to the parking lot, several vape-related items in sealed packaging lay on the ground next to an evidence marker. After investigators photographed the items, they were collected and placed in evidence collection bags.

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