Rochester shooting: Man fires multiple times in dispute with neighbor, police say

ROCHESTER — A shooting that left 37-year-old Kyle Violette hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds was the result of a dispute between neighbors, according to police, who cited witness interviews and video of the incident.

Jason Levesque, 44, of 41 Summer St. was arrested after police found the victim on the sidewalk about 10:18 p.m. Thursday night. Violette was in serious condition as of Friday afternoon, according to police. He was being held in preventative custody at the Strafford County jail.

“The victim remains in serious condition and is expected to be transferred from Portsmouth at some point today to Massachusetts for additional care/treatment,” Rochester police Capt. Todd Pinkham said Friday.

Pinkham said the shooting "was not a premeditated, targeted attack from what we have learned to this point," adding the neighbor dispute "quickly escalated" with Levesque shooting the victim multiple times.

"The investigation is and will remain active and ongoing,” Pinkham said.

Police, firefighters and Frisbie EMS responded to the area of 41 and 43 Summer St. at 10:18 p.m. Officers administered care to stop the bleeding until fire and EMS personnel arrived, police said. The victim was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

Levesque was charged with attempted second-degree murder (Class A felony), second degree assault (Class B felony), and reckless conduct (Class B felony). Levesque was ordered to be held in custody at the Strafford County Jail by a bail commissioner until his arraignment, which was scheduled for Friday in Rochester District Court.

Police affidavit recounts shooting through statement from alleged shooter, family members and video

Levesque's version of events is recounted in a police affidavit filed in court, which describes him admitting to the shooting while providing a history of their dispute.

Levesque told police he had an altercation about two months earlier with Violette, who he said is a neighbor. Levesque accused Violette of threatening him and his family and calling him a "rat."

Levesque told police on the night of the shooting he picked up his daughter at a local restaurant where she works and returned home to Summer Street after snow plowing for an extended period of time throughout the day. He told police Violette approached him, got in his face and told him if he plowed snow into his driveway, he would “kill him and his family.” Violette turned to walk away.

Levesque’s daughter was still in the plow truck when Levesque left the truck with a firearm, a Glock 9mm. With the victim about 10 feet away, Levesque pointed the gun at him, according to police. Levesque told police Violette became enraged and came at him, and that is when he fired the first shot, hitting Violette.

When Violette turned away again, holding himself, Levesque said he returned to the truck, placing the gun inside. He said Violette turned to approach again and Levesque fired another shot, downing Violette.

Police allege Levesque then walked over to him and fired multiple shots. This police account cites video of the shooting provided by Violette's daughter.

Police said they recovered six shell casings at the scene.

Levesque's daughter told police she heard her Violette yelling and threatening her father and she saw the first shot. She said when her father returned to the truck, she had advised him to stay and wait for police.

Neither Levesque nor his attorney could be immediately reached for comment.