Man accused in deadly hatchet attack, shooting indicted

Robert Gagnon (Police mugshot)

CONCORD - The Attorney Generals Office announced on Thursday that the man accused of killing an 83-year-old Lyndeborough man with a hatchet and shooting another man the same day has been indicted.

Robert Gagnon, 45, was indicted on multiple charges in connection with the shooting of Carlos Quintong, 44, in Brookline on Nov. 23. That same day Gagnon is accused of killing Robert Prest, 83, with a hatchet.

On Feb 16 the Hillsborough County Grand Jury - Southern District returned indictments charging Gagnon with one count of attempted murder for shooting Quintong with a firearm with a purpose that the crime of murder be committed.

The Grand Jury also returned indictments against Gagnon for first-degree murder for the death of Prest. Specifically, Gagnon was indicted for purposely causing Prest's death by striking him multiple times in the head and, in an alternative count, for knowingly causing his death while attempting to commit a robbery using a deadly weapon - a hatchet.

Gagnon was also indicted on three counts of theft by unauthorized taking for knowingly obtaining or exercising control over three items: a Jeep SUV owned by Brian LaCroix of Peterborough; a firearm owned by Prest; and Prest's BMW sedan.

Gagnon will be arraigned on the charges at a time and date to be determined in the Hillsborough County Superior Court - Southern District.

The charges and allegations against Mr. Gagnon are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty.