NASHUA — Two people were fatally shot in Nashua late Friday night, prompting a swift response from local police, fire, and AMR Ambulance.
The victims, identified as Patricia Swett, 45, and Matthew Champagne, 44, were found with apparent gunshot wounds to the head just after 10:30 p.m. in the area of 243 Main St.
Police secured the scene on Maple Avenue, directly behind the Main Street address, and requested fire and AMR to stage until the area was safe.
According to witness accounts, multiple gunshots were heard and a car was seen speeding away from the scene, reportedly turning onto West Hollis Street.
Autopsies conducted by Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg confirmed that both Swett and Champagne died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, and their deaths were ruled as homicides.
Victor Rivera, 47, also of Nashua, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the killings.
“Rivera knowingly caused the deaths of the victims by shooting them, and alternatively, recklessly caused their deaths under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life,” said Michael Garity, NH AG Director of Communications, in a released statement.
Sources suggest that Rivera and the victims knew each other, indicating this was not a random act.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation by Nashua police and the Attorney General’s office.
Rivera is expected to be arraigned Monday in the Hillsborough County Superior Court-Southern District in Nashua.
