Homicide Investigation in Gorham, New Hampshire and the Arrest of Christopher Drouin for Murder and Attempted Murder

New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster, State Police Colonel Robert L. Quinn, and Gorham Police Chief P.J. Cyr announce that a homicide investigation has begun in Gorham, New Hampshire. An arrest has been made in connection with this murder.

At 6:40 PM on Monday, April 6, 2015, Gorham Police officers were inside the police station at 20 Park Street, Gorham when they heard gunshots. Responding on foot to Main Street, they discovered Michael Welch (age 27) suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Welch was lying on the sidewalk in front of Gorham Common Park. Officers were immediately directed to a man leaving the scene. The man was identified as Christopher Drouin (age 25) of Gorham. Drouin was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder for knowingly causing Michael Welch's death by shooting him with a handgun. Drouin has also been charged with attempted murder for shooting at John Gillespie (age 30), another man who was with Welch at the time of the incident.

The defendant's arraignment is expected to take place around 3:00 p.m., on April 7, 2015, at the 1st Circuit Court – District Division Court in Berlin, New Hampshire.

The New Hampshire State Police and Gorham Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Michael Welch's death. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sergeant Brian Strong of the State Police Major Crime Unit at (603) 223-8568.