Man arrested after allegedly firing shots from assault-style rifle outside Red Arrow

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Santos
Santos

MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police responded to the Red Arrow, 61 Lowell St., around 2:10 a.m. Sept. 4 for a disturbance call. Officers Richard Valenti and Ken Brunini responded on police mountain bicycles when they observed a dark-colored vehicle operating at a high rate of speed on Chestnut Street, south of Lowell Street. The vehicle fled the scene moments after both officers heard what they believed to be gunshots in the area of the Red Arrow. They attempted to get the operator’s attention by flashing their department issued flashlights, but the operator continued to operate at a high rate of speed and refused to stop.

They were unable to stop the vehicle, so they called in the incident and continued toward the Red Arrow. They stopped at Child Family Services, 484 Chestnut St., when they observed a male subject running near the business. They briefly detained and spoke with a man who claimed he was shot at by an unknown subject.

They identified him as Jacob Valley, 21, of Manchester. Valley stated he was walking in the area when he heard gunshots. The gunshots prompted him to flee because he was unsure if he was the intended target. Officers continued investigating the incident after parting ways with Valley who they determined was not involved in the incident.

They located and spoke with a 26-year old female who stated she was the intended target of the gunshots fired moments before the officers arrived on scene. The victim stated she observed her ex-boyfriend, Jonathan Santos, 28, of Manchester, on Lowell Street at the time of the incident.

She claimed to have spoken with her ex-boyfriend earlier in the evening as he was leaving the downtown business. They engaged in a conversation prior to him becoming physically abusive toward her. She stated they had a brief argument and he allegedly placed his hands on her and pushed her against the building before retreating back to his vehicle, which was parked in front of 80 Lowell St. The victim claimed Santos entered his vehicle and pulled out a long rifle. She immediately ran back toward the restaurant when she heard at least two gunshots, which she believed came from Santos’ rifle.

Other witnesses on scene claimed numerous people were on the street at the time of the alleged incident and fortunately no one was struck by a stray bullet. Another independent witness also observed a male, believed to be Santos, standing at the top of the street (Chestnut Street and Lowell Street) holding an AK-47-style long gun. The witness claimed to have heard upwards of six gunshots.

Dispatch advised officers Santos was wanted under the 12-hour domestic statute. The female victim, Arayelle Wheaton, 26, of Manchester, was arrested on an electronic bench warrant and transported to police headquarters.

Santos was located inside his vehicle, which he parked in the visitor parking lot of police headquarters a short time after Wheaton was arrested. He was arrested without incident and charged with Simple Assault (domestic). His firearm was recovered at his Celeste Street home at approximately 9 a.m. Friday while officers executed a search of his home.

Santos will be video arraigned later today for the simple assault, but he may face additional charges upon completion of the investigation.


 

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About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!