MANCHESTER, NH – On Sunday, July 2, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the Manchester Police Department responded to 138 Willow St. for the report of a gunshot. Upon arrival, officers found the remnants of what had been a large party taking place at that address. Some witnesses reported that they initially believed the sounds to be fireworks, while others described hearing gunshots and seeing a flash of light consistent with the muzzle blast of a firearm. As officers continued investigating, they found evidence that a shooting had in fact taken place, but despite an extensive canvas of the area, they found no injured parties. Officers were also told that there had been a large fight, and that this fight preceded and may have precipitated the shooting.
During the on-scene investigation, an officer working the security detail at the Elliot Hospital reported that a gunshot victim had arrived at the emergency department with non-life threatening injuries. This victim was identified as Curtis Clay, 45, of Manchester. Officers subsequently learned that Mr. Clay had in fact been at the aforementioned party. Mr. Clay explained that, before he was shot, he had broken up a fight at the party in which a large group of people were assaulting another partygoer. Mr. Clay said that after the fight broke up, a man started firing a handgun at the ground and a nearby wall multiple times. Mr. Clay said that it was only shortly afterwards that he realized he had been shot and a friend drove him to the hospital for treatment.
The man with the gun is described as a black male, about 20 years old, approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-11 inches tall, thin build, last seen wearing a white tank top.
This remains an ongoing investigation. Current information does not suggest that there is an ongoing threat to public safety at this time.
If you have any information pertaining to this incident, please contact the Manchester Police Department at 668-8711. If you wish to remain anonymous and provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the person(s) responsible, then you may be eligible for a cash reward through Manchester Crimeline. Please contact our Crimeline at 624-4040.
