Rage over service leads to berlin business shootings
Richard Devoid, a 67-year-old man from Gorham, faces ten counts of reckless conduct with a firearm after a string of unsettling incidents targeting businesses and vehicles in Berlin, New Hampshire. What began as a complaint about internet service quickly escalated into a spree of vandalism and alleged gunfire, leaving local business owners shaken and residents alarmed.
A verizon dispute ignites a chain reaction
The bizarre sequence of events reportedly began on March 20 when Devoid visited a Verizon Wireless store to address issues with his cell service. According to police reports, employees found no problems with his phone and suggested he leave. The following day, employees arrived to discover bullet holes in the shop's windows and siding – the first visible sign of what would become a troubling pattern.
But the Verizon store was not his only target. Monica Pilcer, co-owner of J.C. Towing and Repair, discovered her Chevy Suburban riddled with bullet holes outside her home. Arriving at her business, she found six windows had been shot out, resulting in an estimated $15,000 worth of damage. “We didn’t have any business dealings with him,” Pilcer stated, visibly distressed. “The only thing we had was our first one-star review a couple of weeks ago.”
The connection to the negative review, while suspected, remains unconfirmed. Investigators have also linked Devoid to an incident late last year involving an insurance agency, where shots were allegedly fired after a dispute over an insurance claim. The cumulative damage paints a picture of escalating frustration and a disturbing disregard for public safety.
The incident has understandably rattled the community, particularly families. Pilcer voiced her concern, stating, “We have four kids, so it’s kind of alarming to think that somebody shot at our vehicles that carry our four kids pretty much everywhere.” The unsettling nature of the attacks has left many questioning how such a situation could unfold and what measures can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Devoid is expected in court Thursday, and authorities have indicated that additional charges are possible as the investigation continues. The case serves as a stark reminder of how seemingly minor grievances can, in some cases, spiral into acts of violence with far-reaching consequences.