Manchester police say a heated argument between two men at a local gas station spiraled into gunfire early Thursday morning, leaving one person hospitalized with serious injuries and two teenage brothers facing criminal charges.
Officers were called to Brother’s Express, located at 217 Union Street, just before 2 a.m., after receiving reports of shots fired at the location. According to investigators, the trouble started when two people got into a verbal dispute inside the store. The disagreement did not stay contained to the building. It spilled out into the parking lot, where the confrontation turned physical.
As the fight escalated, other individuals reportedly moved closer to the scene. It was at this point that gunfire erupted.
A 47-year-old man, who had been part of the original argument, was struck by a bullet. Despite his injuries, he managed to get into a vehicle and drive off before officers caught up with him. He was taken to a hospital and is said to be suffering from injuries that are considered life-threatening.
Brothers Turn Themselves In Hours Later
Rather than fleeing, the two suspects took an unusual path following the incident. Police say that several hours after the shooting, two young men walked into the Manchester Police Department on their own and were subsequently placed under arrest.
Authorities identified them as Jovan Elias, age 19, and Elijah Elias, age 18, who police confirmed are siblings. Jovan Elias is now facing eight counts of attempted first-degree assault involving a firearm.
His younger brother, Elijah, was charged with two counts of first-degree assault. As of the latest updates, it remains unclear whether either man is still being held or when they might appear before a judge.
Neighborhood Left Shaken
The shooting rattled residents living near the gas station, some of whom were unaware of what had happened until the following morning. One neighbor, Nicholas Morley, said he only learned about the shooting from his roommate after the fact, though another person in the building had reportedly been awake and witnessed the chaos firsthand as it unfolded, describing an active and tense scene.
When news crews arrived at the location in the early morning hours, the area was described as heavily populated with law enforcement. Shell casings could reportedly be seen scattered near the pumps, and investigators expanded their search to a nearby apartment building, where they examined what appeared to be bullet damage to the structure.
Police have not released further details about a possible motive behind the initial dispute, and the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing as authorities continue piecing together what led to the violent confrontation.
