Gonic man indicted in Eastside shooting melee

Staff reports 11:28 a.m.


Gonic man indicted in Eastside shooting melee

Cole Labonte (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Gonic man has been indicted for his role in some January gunplay in Eastside.

Cole Labonte, 23, of 123 Dry Hill Road, is charge with one count of Class B felony reckless conduct, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison if convicted.

According to court documents, Labonte put another individual in danger of serious bodily injury, "when he fired two shots in the air in the area of Highland Street" on Jan. 11.

Labonte allegedly fired his weapon during a melee in the parking lot of the Highland Street Cumberland Farms.

An investigation revealed that multiple people had assembled at the convenience store for the purpose of confronting an individual who was at a nearby residence. A physical confrontation ensued prompting Labonte to fire his weapon, police say.

No one was injured in the incident.

Labonte is currently free on personal recognizance while he awaits trial or his acceptance of a plea bargain.

The Strafford County grand jury indictments were handed down May 18 and released today.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, rather that enough evidence has been presented to warrant a trial.