Crime & Safety
Shooting Reported At Rochester Homeless Camp; Cops Seek Suspect
Police are searching for a man wanted on a second-degree assault with a firearm charge after the incident sent a woman to the hospital.
ROCHESTER, NH — Friday morning, Rochester police responded to a homeless camp for a shooting during a domestic dispute. Police found a woman requiring medical treatment from a gunshot wound. According to Rochester police, the woman who was shot suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
Police received a call around 5 a.m. stating a woman had been shot at a homeless camp in a wooded area between Wakefield Street and Chestnut Hill Road (in an area near Wendy’s and VIP/O’Reily Auto) and that the male suspect had fled the area on foot.
Rochester police, with the assistance of New Hampshire State Police, searched the area for the male, however he was not located.
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As a result of the investigation, police have issued an arrest warrant for Michael Berencsi, 48, who is described as being a white male, approximately 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and weighing 170 lbs. with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a red shirt with no sleeves and jeans. Berencsi also has several tattoos on both arms.
Michael Berencsi is wanted for second-degree assault with a firearm and violation of protective order.
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Police believe this was an isolated incident and that there is no danger to the public.
Police are asking that anyone who may have any information regarding this incident or Berencsi’s whereabouts contact them at 603-330-7128.
You can also provide information and remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.