Bullet Hole Through Wall Leads To Charges Against Portsmouth Man

PORTSMOUTH, NH — A Port City man is facing felony charges after police investigated a bullet shot through an apartment wall in the building where he lives.

The case began Thursday after a resident reported a bullet hole through an apartment on the fourth floor of a building on Brewery Lane. Police were sent to the incident and determined the shooting occurred during the overnight hours. Detectives said the bullet was a .45 caliber round which was shot through the wall from an abutting apartment, according to Capt. Darrin Sargent of the investigative division of the Portsmouth Police Department.

"A search warrant was executed on the apartment for which the round came from where further evidence was collected," he said.

After investigating the incident, Christopher Bell, 32, of Brewery Lane was arrested and charged with felony reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, felony criminal mischief, and criminal mischief charges. He will be prosecuted by the Rockingham County Attorney's Office via the Felonies First program, Sargent added.

Anyone with info about the incident is asked to contact Detective Peter Sheldon at 603-610-7609.

Anonymous tips can be made through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling 603-431-1199, online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com, and through the new "P3" phone app available as a free download for Apple and Android phones. Rewards of up to $1,000 may be paid for help solving cases if the information leads to an arrest or indictment of a suspect(s).

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Portsmouth Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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