1 dead in shooting outside NH Ace Hardware

GOFFSTOWN, NH - One person was reportedly shot outside the Ace Hardware in Goffstown, New Hampshire, according to a witness.

Police have confirmed the person was shot dead.

Dispatchers confirmed it as an "ongoing incident." They would not give further details.

The shooting, which took place in the parking lot of the Goffstown Hardware store at around 4 p.m., forced a manhunt for a suspect and a lockdown of area homes and businesses. The lockdown persisted for about three hours.

"We went for blues night, got locked in the bar," said an anonymous customer of The Village Trestle, a Goffstown bar.

A local business owner across the street from the Ace Hardware on Depot Street said that around 4:30 p.m. she noticed police lights outside. Brenda Cadieux said she went outside to see what was going on, and police told her to go back in the bar, the Village Trestle Bar, lock the door and close the shades. He also said not to let anybody in or out.

Cadieux told Boston 25 News that someone was shot outside the Ace Hardware. She said she didn't see or hear anything due to a live band at the bar. The restaurant was holding its weekly blues concert when it all happened.

"We had people out on the patio earlier today, the police said to get everybody inside lock the doors don't let anybody in or anybody out," said Cadieux.

People were frustrated that authorities were unable to provide updates on what was happening during the lockdown.

Anything new that was learned came from social media, but while some information was accurate, some was not.

"We had no idea what was going on, really, except through social media," said Cadieux.

The hardware store was able to communicate through social media throughout the entire ordeal and the lockdown.

In a tweet, the owner wrote: "None of our employees or customers were injured in today's events, big hugs to my staff today."

At around 7:30 p.m., customers of The Village Trestle assumed the worst was over and ended the lockdown themselves.

"Then we saw traffic going and figured it was time to leave," said the anonymous customer.

Additionally details are unknown at this time.

This is a breaking story, Boston 25 News is working to confirm more details. 

Cox Media Group