Crime & Safety
1 Man Dead, Another Arrested After Killing In Somersworth Parking Lot
NH AG: Brian Roberge of Somersworth was accused of assaulting and killing Jan VanTassel of Center Ossipee in a Walmart parking lot.
SOMERSWORTH, NH — Investigators have made an arrest after the death of a man on Friday night in a parking lot at the Somersworth Walmart.
Around 11:19 p.m., police were sent to Waltons Way for a report of a man assaulting another man. Upon arriving, officers found Jan VanTassel, 79, unresponsive, with visible head and facial injuries. First responders determined VanTassel, of Center Ossipee, was dead.
As a result of an investigation, a warrant was issued against Brian Roberge, 52, on a single count of second-degree murder.
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"Mr. Roberge is alleged to have recklessly caused the death of Mr. VanTassel under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face," Michael Garrity, a spokesman for the attorney general's office, said.
Roberge is expected to be arraigned Monday in the Strafford County Superior Court.
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Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact New Hampshire State Police Communications at 603-223-4381, with attention to Det. Sgt. Justin Rowe.
