A Goffstown man, identified as Cory Nickerson, 50, has been arrested after a series of incidents in which he forced entry into the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and assaulted two dispatchers before leading police on a short-lived pursuit, as reported by NBC Boston. According to authorities, the events unfolded on Saturday afternoon when, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Nickerson followed an employee through a secured entrance into the sheriff's building and proceeded to attack the on-duty dispatchers.
The initial contact occurred in the office's parking lot when Nickerson approached a dispatcher, the uneasy exchange prompted her to ask him to step away, and as she entered the building using her key to the secure door, Nickerson managed to slip in undetected immediately behind her, the incident was detailed by WMUR. The staff first attempted to remove him by issuing commands through the loudspeaker, but it soon escalated, Nickerson assaulted two other dispatchers who intervened, leaving them with minor injuries.
Post-incident, as Nickerson fled the scene, efforts to apprehend him resulted in a brief car chase, which, citing safety concerns, was quickly called off. The suspect was located the following day around 3 p.m. Sunday with the help of a drone, officials reported. The police have since been examining the details of the encounter to understand the motivation behind it, with Sgt. Jonathan Babcock noting to WMUR, "This is the first for us that an actual dispatcher was targeted since I’ve been here. But again, we don't know if it was just a random interaction." Nickerson has been placed under preventive detention and faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including simple assault and criminal mischief.
Authorities have charged Nickerson with several offenses, including two counts of simple assault, disobedience to an officer, criminal threatening, false imprisonment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and negligent driving; his arraignment is scheduled for today at the 9th Circuit Goffstown District Division Court, as per details from the Goffstown police mentioned by NBC Boston.
