Boston Man Ordered Held After Near Fatal New Hampshire Shooting

MANCHESTER, NH — Antwone Cousins, 39 of Boston, Massachusetts, appeared via video for a bail hearing in Hillsborough County Superior Court on Thursday.

Cousins is accused of felony first-degree assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cousins allegedly shot a man outside of Draft Kings at 1279 South Willow St. in Manchester on April 19. Court documents presented at the arraignment state accused Cousins of using a handgun to shoot a man in the abdomen and leg.

The victim was rushed to the Elliot Hospital and was listed in critical condition. The male victim, who is in his late 30s, was flown to a Boston hospital for more extensive medical care. His current condition is unknown but the injuries were originally described by Manchester police as "life-threatening."

Police were looking for Cousins after they issued warrants and a local resident offered a $10,000 reward. Cousins turned himself into police on Monday.

In the affidavit, police interviewed a woman, who was seen with Cousins outside the casino, just minutes before the shooting happened. She told police that on that night, she had gone to DraftKings and was sitting at a gaming table with “Stix” — Cousins’ nickname. She said the two had a very brief relationship and had gone on a few dates together.

As she was leaving, Cousins said he was also leaving and he would walk her to her vehicle, the report stated. She said when they were in the parking lot, she heard tires squeal and saw the victim step out from between two parked vehicles. The woman said the victim reach toward his waist and she felt something bad was about to happen, so she went back inside DraftKings. As she walked away, she said she heard gunshots.

The witness told investigators that Cousins and the victim used to be close friends but had a recent falling out over another woman with whom they both had a relationship.

Police interviewed people at the scene and contacted the management of DraftKings to view surveillance video. The affidavit stated DraftKings has 60 4K video cameras inside and outside the facility. Police were able to view Cousins inside and the interaction with the victim outside, the report stated.

Cousins was accused of firing five shots before his firearm malfunctioned, the affidavit stated. He was seen entering the passenger side of a vehicle and then, leaving the scene in the direction of the Hannaford Supermarket, the report said. Police located several spent casings at the scene, consistent with the number of shots heard by witnesses.

Attorney Hannah Roberts, who is representing Cousins, brought up information police left out of the affidavit. Roberts said the victim, who was shot, had crawled under a vehicle while the shooting was happening. Under the vehicle, a stolen firearm was found near the victim with what appears to be one casing from that firearm.

Roberts challenged why that information was not included and why the firearm hasn’t been processed further by detectives. She also disclosed the victim is a convicted felon on parole from New York and was in violation by being out of state — and potentially possessing a firearm.

"Mr. Cousins could have been reacting to a very real threat to his life," according to Attorney Hannah Roberts.

It appears that the gun found near the victim was used to fire at least one round. Either a casing or projectile — Hillsborough County prosecutor Alex Gatzouli was unsure which — was found in the area.

"That piece is probably the most significant piece in my mind," said Hillsborough County Superior Court Judge Will Delker, discussing the gun.

Delker ordered Cousins held under the preventative detention law, citing that the state met the burden of proof that he was a danger to the community. Delker made the request that an evidentiary hearing is scheduled due to the open questions.

"There's a lot of questions here that need to be explored," Delker said.

DraftKings Sportbook is located inside a former multiplex and includes Filotimo Casino and Restaurant, a bingo hall, the South Side Tavern, and a room for poker and table games.