Employee arrested for alleged shooting threat at Veterans Affairs hospital in N.H. – The Boston Globe

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.