Two Arrested After Salisbury Assault, Manhunt Incident

Earlier this morning, New Hampshire State Police released the following information concerning the assault incident and manhunt in Salisbury on Dec. 27, which included the arrest of two individuals. Here is the full report: 

On December 27, 2013 at approximately 4:45 pm, troopers from Troop D responded to 56 Scribner Road in Salisbury for a report of a domestic assault. While responding, troopers learned that the suspect, later identified as Stuart McKenzie, age 26 of Salisbury had fled on foot into the woods.  Troopers were advised that McKenzie was armed with a shotgun and a box which was believed to contain ammunition. Witnesses reported that they heard 5 shots fired from the area where they had seen Stuart enter the woods.   Troopers formed up down the road from the 56 Scribner Road, drove to the residence and entered. Once it was determined that the people in the house were safe outbuildings were checked and secured. Fearing that Stuart may return,  several troopers remained at the residence while other troopers from Troop D, Troop B, Troop G, Headquarters, as well as officers from Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department, Sutton, Warner and Webster police department formed a perimeter to contain Stuart McKenzie.  The area where McKenzie was reported to be hiding is very large and bordered by many miles of road. Each of the roads and intersections needed to be closely watched.  It was reported to troopers that Stuart McKenzie was an experienced outdoorsman and having grown up in the area, knew the woods and trails very well. Troopers were concerned that Stuart may return to the residence at 56 Scribner Road or attempt to enter a neighbor’s house.  In light of this concern Troopers went door to door to warn residents and checked the neighbor’s outbuildings.

While at 56 Scribner Road troopers learned that a separate domestic assault had occurred.  As result Danny McKenzie, age 55 of Salisbury was placed under arrest for domestic assault. During the arrest Danny McKenzie resisted trooper’s efforts to take him into custody. Danny McKenzie was arrested and charged with simple assault, criminal threatening, and resisting arrest. Danny McKenzie was transported to the Franklin Police Department for booking. Danny McKenzie was released on bail to appear in the Franklin District Court on February 11, 2014. 

While this was going on, other troopers, along with local police officers, checked the roads around the general area of the residence. In that it had snowed the day before police were able to located several areas where there were fresh boot impressions in the snow.

Stuart McKenzie was known to be armed with a shotgun, is a seasoned outdoorsman, and the search area was very large New Hampshire State Police deployed a state police helicopter to conduct an aerial search. Troopers on the ground were in close radio contact with troopers in the helicopter. The helicopter used a Forward Looking Infrared Camera (FLIR) to scan the woods for the suspect. Troopers on the perimeter scanned the woods using night vision goggles.  On several occasions troopers in the helicopter located McKenzie; however the terrain and pine trees allowed, McKenzie to conceal himself. 

Troopers who remained at 56 Scribner Road learned the McKenzie was in contact with several people via cell phone.  While state police communications specialists were working to track the location of Stuart McKenzie cell phone they learned that McKenzie believed that the troopers in the helicopter were aware of his location.  A short time later McKenzie emerged from the woods and approached 56 Scribner Road where he was arrested without incident. 

Stuart McKenzie was transported to the Franklin police station for processing. Stuart McKenzie has been charged with 3 counts of simple assault, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and he was also wanted on an electronic bench warrant. Stuart McKenzie is currently being held on the electronic bench warrant at the Merrimack County Jail. He will be arraigned on the remaining charges in February 11, 2014 in the Franklin District Court. 

When Stuart McKenzie emerged from the woods he did not have the gun or the box with him. Once Stuart was taken away, troopers formed two search teams and began to backtrack along Stuart’s path. Each team went into the woods from a different starting point. Not far from Scribner Road troopers located 5 spent shotgun shells. Troopers continued on through the woods another half mile and located the box, which was found to contain several shotgun shells, hidden under a stump. Further on troopers located a pump shotgun that was tucked into a crack between the stones of an old train bridge. 

State Police, locale police, as well as Salisbury Fire / Rescue cleared from the scene at approximately at approximately 11:00 pm.

Authority: Sergeant William Graham