Rapper Dusty Locane’s Van Shot During Drive-By After NH Gig

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester and New Hampshire State Police are investigating what they believe to be a drive-by style shooting on Interstate 293 near Brown Avenue in Manchester on Friday.

Four people are being treated at Elliot Hospital, according to Sgt. Bryan Plamondin, a state trooper detective. The victims were in a 15-passenger van that arrived at the Elliot with multiple people injured.

Witnesses and victims have confirmed that rapper Dusty Locane was in the van at the time of the shooting.

Locane had just wrapped up a performance at the Jewell Nightclub in Manchester, according to police. He and his entourage had left the venue in a van and headed to I-293 south. Near Brown Avenue, the van was shot at around at 1:45 a.m. Manchester fire and AMR were dispatched to Brown Avenue for a report of a possible gunshot victim and were asked to station for the police, to ensure the scene was safe. Minutes later fire and AMR were told to clear, “the victims drove to the hospital.”

Several NHSP and MPD units responded to the hospital due to the number of people involved and the volatile situation. Elliot Hospital was put on diversion and directing patients to Catholic Medical Center while treating the victims, according to fire dispatch.

Nine people who said they were in the van at the time of the shooting gathered on the lawn outside the ambulance entrance. One woman in the group had a bandaged hand and blood-spattered on her shirt. They verified to reporters they were part of the rap group and were the victims of the drive-by shooting. The van could be seen parked where ambulances usually enter the hospital, surrounded by crime scene tape.

A tow truck arrived at the parking lot and removed the van. Plamondin said the van would be towed to Troop B to gather evidence. A large window on the driver’s side was shattered and several bullet holes could be seen on the driver’s side.

A “be-on-the-lookout” was broadcast to several towns as an “officer safety bulletin.” The BOLO described a white van style vehicle, “boxy,” and possibly a Dodge with several people in it. Officers were advised to use caution based on the number of people, and unknown weapons.

At 4:45 a.m., Manchester police posted a statement on social media:

Manchester police and New Hampshire State Police are currently investigating a shooting incident that occurred in the early morning hours of July 16. Detectives from both agencies are working jointly on this case due to initial information indicating that the incident occurred in Manchester and on Interstate 293. There does not appear to be any ongoing threat to public safety and updates will be provided when appropriate.

There is no apparent investigatory scene on Brown Avenue where Manchester Fire and AMR were originally dispatched to.

Locane, of Brooklyn, New York, is considered a rising star in the business. One of his most recent tracks, “Rollin n Controllxn freestyle,” has more than 27 million views on YouTube.com.

This is a developing story, and this will continue to be updated as information becomes available.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news