Arrest made in Derry shooting death, nephew charged with murder of uncle

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Derry officers outside the Lobster Claw in Derry. May 18, 2023

DERRY, NH – Police have arrested a Candia man who is charged with murder in the shooting death of  his uncle on Wednesday.

John Kratz, 27, of Candia, was arrested for the murder of John Kratz Jr., 64, of Sandown.

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John Krantz/DPD

According to police at approximately 5:48 p.m. on May 17, 2023, Derry police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at the Lobster Claw II at 4 S. Main St. in Derry. Upon arrival, they found John Kratz Jr. suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, where he was pronounced deceased.

As a result of the investigation into the circumstances of John Kratz Jr.’s death, an arrest warrant was obtained charging his nephew, John Kratz of Candia, with one charge of second-degree murder, RSA 630:1-b, I(a). John Kratz is alleged to have knowingly caused the death of John Kratz Jr. by shooting him with a gun.

John Kratz is expected to be arraigned on May 18, 2023, in the Rockingham County Superior Court, at a time to be determined.

The charges and allegations against John Kratz are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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