Around 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 25, Concord police were sent to the Concord Gardens apartment complex for a report of a fight involving a knife. The tipster quickly disconnected from 911 after issuing the report, so there was little information available, a detective wrote in an affidavit.
As officers arrived, they learned the incident was close by, in the parking lot of the Lamplighter Plaza on Loudon Road. Several people were still in the rear area of the lot. When the detective arrived, they recognized two men — Emmanuel Muhire, 34, a homeless man, and the victim, a man in his mid-30s. The detective wrote the victim accused Muhire of assaulting him earlier in the evening, at the same location.
A third man, Abel Dusabimana, 39, was in handcuffs due to an active bench warrant. An officer told the detective Dusabimana had possession of the knife during the altercation, the affidavit stated. The knife, the detective noted, was now on the ground near the area of the fight.
The detective stated Muhire had “a large scrape” on his forearm. Fire and rescue teams arrived and applied a bandage to his arm.
Advertisement
Bystanders, however, told the detective Dusabimana was “not the primary aggressor in the altercation.” One witness accused Muhire of “swinging a stick” against Dusabimana, pressing his body against and grabbing onto him, the report said.
A witness provided cellphone video of the incident to the officer the detective watched.
The detective said the video clips showed Muhire holding a stick and swinging it “like a sword in a rapid manner,” the affidavit said. The victim was heard saying “police” several times while lifting his shirt, showing the injury from the prior altercation. Muhire then was seen snapping the stick in half and throwing it to the ground, the detective wrote, but then postured “as if he was about to engage in an altercation.” The report stated he took off his sunglasses, threw them aside, and took off his sandals.
Dusabimana then appeared “to brandish a knife” and chased Muhire a short distance, the report stated. Muhire then fell, Dusabimana kicked him twice, and then walked away, the detective stated. Dusabimana then walked away with the victim. The victim was seen holding a snow shovel later.
Muhire then began to posture again and came “within inches of Abel,” the report said. Dusabimana then pushed him away and Muhire “aggressively reengages Abel and grabbed his right arm,” the affidavit said.
Advertisement
Dusabimana, the detective wrote, appeared to be creating distance from Muhire even though he continued to posture and approach him.
The detective said, since the parking lot incident was the second fight involving Muhire that evening, he was arrested on simple assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal threatening charges. He requested bail but was held on preventative detention. The detective said, despite having $72, Muhire refused to pay the bail commissioner. Muhire was scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 26 in Concord District Court.
Previously, Muhire has been arrested about a dozen times since 2016 on disorderly conduct, criminal threatening, resisting, assault, trespass, stalking, false imprisonment, domestic violence, driving after revocation or suspension, conduct after an accident, operating without a valid license charges, and a vehicle registration violation.
Dusabimana has previously been arrested on drunken driving twice, driving after revocation or suspension, and operating without a valid license charges as well as a parks ordinance violation.
The victim has previously been arrested on domestic violence, conduct after an accident, simple assault, aggravated driving under the influence, endangering the welfare of a child, stalking, operating without a valid license, resisting, driving after revocation or suspension, breach of bail, and warrants.
Advertisement
Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella’s YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the NH politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
Advertisement
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment. He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
Advertisement
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
Advertisement
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads. The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
Advertisement
At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox
