One Arrested, Three Injured in Winter Street Altercation

One Arrested, Three Injured in Winter Street Altercation

Kelsey Davis

News Editor

kldavis3@plymouth.edu

On Sunday, October 16, just after 4 a.m., three people were stabbed outside of 10 Winter Street, which serves as off-campus housing for Plymouth State University. After the incident occurred, the assailant was chased by witnesses into nearby woods. The police later found the knife used in the attack further down the street. Of the three victims, two were confirmed to be PSU students and the other to be a PSU alumni. Out Of the three victims, only one needed extensive care, and by Monday October 17, all were released from Speare Memorial Hospital.

A tip led to the assailant being apprehended late Sunday night, and was arraigned on Monday. The man is a Newport, RI resident, and is being charged with 3 counts of second-degree assault, as well as three counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.

The incident is believed to be related to drugs, however, due to the ongoing police investigation, details of the attack are limited.

Plymouth State officials were horrified at the news of the incident. In a statement released by the office of the President, Dr. Donald Birx, the President of Plymouth State University said the following:

“We have all been heavily involved as events unfolded early yesterday morning and have been extremely concerned about the three that were attacked. We very much appreciate the community support and the partnership between the town and university police departments along with the help of students that resulted in an arrest late yesterday. This emphasizes all the more the importance of our university community. When our students were injured yesterday and when I saw today how badly one student was hurt, I realized that we [the Plymouth State community] all share, good or bad, what happens to each of us. I thought about how this behavior—senseless violence that was perpetrated by someone outside of Dan Gannon Assistant News/Sports Editordrgannon@plymouth.edu Four Arrested After Party Gets Out of Hand Ashland, and Bristol to assist in crowd control. Around 4:55pm, police used a loud speaker to tell students to lawfully disperse and leave the scene. By 5:05 pm, police had regained control of the street. It is unclear whether or not there was any property damage during the unlawful assembly. During the assembly, four men were arrested in connection with the partying. Those arrested age’s range from 22-26, and at least two are Plymouth State students. They face a variety of charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and simple assault on a police officer. All individuals that were arrested in Sunday’s partying are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Plymouth Police also made it aware to the public that photographs were taken of individuals engaging in unlawful or illegal acts and the photographs will be used to identify those suspects and arrest warrants will be issued in the future. The town of Plymouth was rattled Sunday after a series of parties were conducted throughout the usually quiet, peaceful town. As a result of the disturbance, four individuals were arrested. It started around 3:05 pm, when officers responded to 10 Pleasant St. Plymouth Police arrived on the scene and estimated that around 300 people were in attendance. After discussion with the homeowners, officers lawfully told the students to leave, as they were not welcome on the property. The crowd then moved to Winter Street, where they remained and continued to unlawfully gather. Plymouth Police called for additional units from the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Fish and Game, as well as officers from the neighboring towns of Holderness, Campton, our campus community—does not align with our values that include the rights and dignity of all people; collective responsibility for the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community; and accountability for decisions, actions, performance, and conduct.”

Dr. Birx continued to say, ““To me, Ut Prosim (that I may serve) means that we look out for each other, that we care for and about each other— before we leave campus to serve our region and world as scientists, artists, teachers, and business leaders. This dedication to each other is at the heart of our Plymouth community, and it is what makes Plymouth so special.”

The Plymouth State Student Senate had this to say, “The recent events perpetuating within Plymouth State community are not only troubling, but unacceptable and do not represent the ideals and values that Plymouth Students hold dear. It is our hope that the alarming recent events only serve as a small blemish on our otherwise peaceful and progressive community. As members of the greater Plymouth community, it is important that we take responsibility for actions around us to maintain the place we call home."

More will be reported as details are released.