A longtime employee of the US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Manchester, N.H., was arrested Monday after he allegedly threatened to shoot two supervisors.
Paul M. Gangi, who has been employed as a carpenter for about 13 years at the Manchester VA Medical Center, made an allegedly threatening remark about the supervisors on Sept. 5 while expressing frustration about having been relieved of some of his duties, according to newly unsealed court records.
“If they keep harassing me, I am going to come in and pop these guys,” Gangi allegedly told a witness at the medical center’s electric shop, according to an affidavit prepared by Michael G. Nunley, a special agent with the VA Office of Inspector General.
That witness told authorities Gangi was a “ticking time bomb” who needed help, and fellow workers had grown nervous. Three other witnesses told investigators they had heard Gangi make comments at various points months earlier about carrying out a workplace shooting, according to the affidavit.
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Gangi, 45, of Raymond, N.H., is accused of violating a section of the law that prohibits threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder federal officials with retaliatory intent for their official conduct, according to a statement from the office of US Attorney Jane E. Young in New Hampshire. The alleged offense carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Gangi appeared in court Monday morning and is expected in court again Tuesday morning for preliminary and detention hearings, according to prosecutors.
His public defender, Jaye L. Rancourt, said he maintains his innocence.
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Gangi earned recognition as an expert marksman while serving in the US Army, according to the affidavit. He served in Iraq in roughly 2004 to 2005 and earned the Army Commendation Medal.
His coworkers at the hospital said he has exhibited anger issues and also talked about his firearms at work, according to the affidavit.
While telling police he wouldn’t make the threats he’s accused of making, Gangi also unleashed a profanity-laden rant about the supervisors he is accused of threatening, according to the affidavit.
“They have taken everything from me,” he said. “They have taken my dignity. They have taken my respect.”
Gangi told police he used to have his own office, computer, phone extension, and storage space for his tools at work, but the supervisors took that away and now keep such a close eye on him that he gets a knot in his stomach every day at work.
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“It never used to be that way,” he said. “I love this f—ing facility. This is my hospital; this place saved my life. I take pride in it. But I’ve been s— on so much, and it’s at every turn.”
Gangi told police he doesn’t like the supervisors and wants them to back off, but doesn’t want them dead, according to the affidavit.
“One day, you could push somebody to that point,” he added. “I do have PTSD. It is their job to support me, and you as a veteran. Not actively trying to trigger you so that they can fire you.”
One of the supervisors told investigators he feared Gangi wouldn’t stop at targeting the two individuals he is accused of threatening: “once he starts pulling the trigger, it is going to be a bloodbath,” the supervisor said, according to the affidavit.
Gangi had been working at the facility as a locksmith until a few months ago, when supervisors said they stripped him of that role after it became clear he was abusing the position, according to the affidavit. They said multiple master keys on campus likely came from Gangi, and they said they have been assessing how to improve safety and security at the facility.
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A spokesperson for the VA Manchester Healthcare System acknowledged an inquiry Monday afternoon from The Boston Globe but did not immediately provide comment.
This story has been updated to include comments from prosecutors and a public defender.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
Sunflowers are my absolute FAVORITE flowers. I truly feel like they have magical uplifting abilities. Hence, why I’ve always kept fresh sunflowers in my house, brightening up my kitchen table or even my TV stand.
Obviously, it was a dream of mine to have my maternity photos taken in a sunflower field. They reflect sunshine and exude happiness.
Not to mention, one of my favorite quotes is about sunflowers! “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” Helen Keller
A beautiful reminder to keep an optimistic outlook on life and not dwell on the negative.
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So, you can imagine the joy I felt when I learned that New Hampshire had its very own Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee!
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
About the Sunflower Festival:
During the summer, the farm transforms into a sea of golden blooms, giving visitors the chance to wander through thousands of sunflowers, snap photos, enjoy local food vendors, artisan crafts, listen to live music, and experience one of New Hampshire’s most beautiful summer traditions.
Other unique activities on the itinerary? Sip-n-snip! Guests can enjoy a cocktail or mocktail of their choice and cut their own fresh bouquet of flowers.
Coppal House Farm via FacebookCoppal House Farm via Facebook
Or maybe you’re a yoga fan? You can join a 60-minute sweat session from Lee, New Hampshire yoga instructors right in the heart of the flower field.
And because the farm grows oilseed sunflowers for culinary oil (which they harvest in the fall months), the flowers only stay at their peak for a brief window, making the festival a limited-time experience, according to the festival organizers…
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What makes this event even more special is the reason behind it. The festival started as a way to share the beauty of the sunflower fields, but it has grown into something much bigger. Organizers say the event has raised more than $90,000 for Make-A-Wish New Hampshire over the years and now shares a portion of its proceeds with several local nonprofit organizations serving the Seacoast community.
Anyone who knows me knows that paying it forward is something that’s incredibly important to me. It’s right up there with my love of sunflowers because both fill my cup in the best way. So, when I found out this festival celebrates my favorite flower and gives back to the community, I knew I had to share it.
Sunflower Festival Details:
This festival only runs from Saturday, July 25th until Sunday, August 2nd. You can get the full list of activities and more on the Coppal Farm website.
Daily Field Hours
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10:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last admission at 6PM because fields close at 6:30) Weekend Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free Weekend Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm): $16 per person ages 13 & older $14 per person ages 5-12 $14 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free includes: access to sunflower fields, craft fair, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, farm animals, & live music
Weekday Tickets (prepurchased online – day before) $8 per person ages 13 & older $6 per person ages 5-12 $6 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
Weekday Tickets (purchased day of – online or at farm) $12 per person ages 13 & older $10 per person ages 5-12 $10 per person Seniors (65+) & Military 4 yrs & under are always free
What tickets include: Access to sunflower fields, food vending area, tented shade area, picnic area, and farm animals
READ MORE: A Classic Fairy Tale Comes To Life At Portsmouth’s Prescott Park This Summer
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This festival might just leave you smiling long after you leave the fields!
What Flowers Thrive in New England
See what flowers thrive in New England weather: Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Gallery Credit: Logan
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering Locally Grown Strawberries
14 of the Best New Hampshire Farms Offering PYO Strawberries
Ed. Note: If this was you and you are interested, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP.
“Dear PoPville,
I was biking home from a doctor appointment a little before noon on Friday, and stopped at a red light on New Hampshire & L st nw. There was a woman across the street who was looking fine in her dark blue (I think they were) scrubs. I might be crazy, but it felt like we kept checking each other out. By the third time,
if we were in a romcom, one of us would have waved. Sorry I didn’t, but if you are reading this and date men, reach out to the Prince if you are interested in that man on the bike. Have a great weekend!”
Ed. Note: If this is you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. PoPville is not affiliated with either party, please proceed with any potential connection at your own risk using caution as you would any online encounter. For those curious about past missed connections, many have been made and when possible I’ll try to update when/if more are made.
A New Hampshire motorcyclist who had been missing since the Fourth of July was found dead in Shelburne late Thursday night.
State police say they received a request from the Berlin Police Department just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday for help locating 41-year-old Wesley Grondin — the Berlin man was last seen riding his motorcycle on Saturday, July 4, and had been reported missing.
Troopers received a call a couple of hours later, around 10:10 p.m. Thursday, from a concerned resident who had been out looking for Grondin along Route 2 in Shelburne. The person told police they had found Grondin dead, along with his Harley Davidson.
According to state police, a preliminary investigation determined that Grondin was riding his Harley on Route 2 westbound in Shelburne when, for reasons that remain under investigation, he crossed over into the opposing lane, struck a post, and came to a final rest in the wood line.
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The crash is believed to have occurred just before midnight on July 4. At this time, police say there’s no indication that another vehicle or person was involved.
All aspects of the crash remain under investigation, however. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Trooper Hunter Newsham at Hunter.P.Newsham@dos.nh.gov.
