Published: 12/8/2018 10:44:48 PM
Modified: 12/9/2018 12:16:11 AM
Newport — A shooting victim was airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on Saturday afternoon following an incident involving two vehicles on Oak Street, police said.
No suspect had been apprehended as of Saturday night, according to Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway, who spoke at a 9 p.m. news briefing with Newport Police Chief Jim Burroughs and New Hampshire State Police Lt. Michael Kokoski.
Asked whether there was a shooting suspect at large, Hathaway said it would be “unfair to characterize it that way.”
“If there was imminent danger, we would let people know,” he said.
One witness, 18-year-old Odell Bedell, a Newport High School senior, was being questioned at the Newport Police Department late Saturday afternoon and evening while his brother Austin Bedell and father Chris Bedell waited in the lobby and outside.
Odell Bedell was nearly struck by one of the bullets, his father said.
“He was scared,” said Chris Bedell, who had spoken with his son on the phone. “He told me (a bullet) just missed his head.”
Others seemingly related to the parties involved milled around the station on a frigid night, their distress a stark contrast to the droves of children entering the station to have booklets stamped as part Newport’s “Passport to Santa” program.
The investigation is ongoing, and no information was provided regarding the victim’s age, gender or condition, officials said.
“The individual was transported to (DHMC) and is still receiving treatment,” Hathaway said.
The incident involving the vehicles took place at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Oak Street, which runs roughly parallel with the Sugar River off Route 10, also known as North Main Street.
A portion of Oak Street was still barricaded by police at 9:15 on Saturday night.
“This type of event is not common in the town of Newport,” Chief Burroughs said. “At this time we believe it was an isolated incident. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Newport Police and New Hampshire State Police were investigating the incident. Anyone who may have information is encouraged to contact New Hampshire State Police Troop C at 603-223-8494 or Newport Police at 603-863-3232.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.