MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police responded to the area of 429 Hanover St. Oct. 22 for a fight possibly involving a firearm. Officers arrived on scene approximately 5:40 p.m. and noted three damaged vehicles, an unconscious man lying on the ground and a .38 caliber handgun.
One of the victims of the crash stated he was legally parked on the south side of Hanover Street getting ready to pull into the travel lane when he noticed a gold Toyota Camry traveling at a high rate of speed toward his car. He watched the Camry strike the unoccupied car parked behind him before side-swiping his own vehicle. He said the operator of the Camry stopped approximately 100 yards away from the crash site and walked toward him. He said the operator of the Camry began arguing with the crowd gathered nearby.
Officer Jeffrey Fierimonte spoke with Richard Blais, 32, of Manchester, who stated he engaged in a physical altercation with the driver, who was at that time unconscious, later identified as Brian Landry, 51, of Manchester, after Landry crashed on Hanover Street. Blais told the officers he was inside his girlfriend’s Hanover Street apartment when he heard a commotion outside of the address.
He walked outside and observed Landry yelling and swearing at his girlfriend, who happened to be outside on the sidewalk when the crash took place. Landry made disparaging remarks at Blais’ girlfriend, so he stepped in and advised Landry to refrain from swearing at her. Blais placed a hand in front of Landry and prevented him from walking aggressively toward his girlfriend. Blais alleges his girlfriend’s 7-year-old child alerted him about the gun after Landry began waving a small handgun toward Landry and the growing crowd.
Blais and two bystanders knocked Landry to the ground and ultimately disarmed him while other bystanders fled the area. Landry was knocked unconscious during the struggle and was transported to the Elliot Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. A loaded .38 caliber handgun was located on scene and placed into evidence.
Landry was charged with criminal threatening (felony) and issued a white summons for operating under the influence of drugs/alcohol. He is scheduled to appear in Hillsborough County Superior Court-North on October 23, 2017.
