Police Charge Suspect in May Drive-by Shooting

Nashua Police have made an arrest in connection with a drive-by shooting last May on Vernon Street.

On Thursday, members of the Nashua Police Department Criminal Investigation Division arrested Derek Dignan, 28, of no fixed address, for criminal liability to reckless conduct, a Class B felony. He was arrested at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections in Brentwood around 10 a.m., where he was being held on unrelated charges.

The charges stem from an incident on May 25, 2013. Around 2:30 a.m., police responded to a residence on Vernon Street for a report of shots fired. Patrol officers learned that someone drove by the residence and discharged multiple rounds from a firearm into the location. It was determined that at least three shots went into the residence. There were five residents inside the apartment at the time of the incident, including twin 10-year-old girls and a 2 year old. No one was injured.

The investigation was furthered by detectives in the Criminal Investigation Division, and it was learned that Dignan was driving the vehicle at the time and as a result a warrant was issued.

Police said there is also an active arrest warrant for the shooter and he is currently incarcerated at the New Hampshire State Prison on unrelated charges. His name will be released upon his arrest on these new charges.

A Class B felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison, exclusive of fines. Dignan is being held at the Nashua Police Department after refusing bail pending his arraignment in Nashua District Court on Friday.