Police probe possible hate crime following attacks on gay-owned chocolate shop

Wm. Poole Confections is temporarily closed following a pair of altercations in one week (Courtesy photo)

SOMERSWORTH - A Somersworth chocolate shop owned by two gay men that was the site of an altercation on Sunday is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
Police got involved around 9:30 p.m. when responded to a 911 call at 56 High St. reporting that "several juveniles" had tried breaking into a residence above Wm. Poole Confections, where Poole and his husband live.
According to a Tuesday press release from Somersworth Police Captain Matthew D. Duval, Poole and his husband, Loren, confronted the juveniles on the sidewalk out in front.
"Shortly thereafter a physical altercation ensued between the two business owners and the group of juveniles," Duval said.
Responding officers found that all parties involved suffered from some type of minor injuries and were tended to by EMTs from Stewart's Ambulance Service and Dover Fire.
In addition two juveniles and one adult were transported to Wentworth Douglass Hospital by ambulance with what were described as nonlife threatening injuries.
A firearm that was reportedly brandished during the incident in front of City Hall was seized by officers.
As part of this ongoing investigation Somersworth Police are looking at a prior incident on July 16 involving the same business owners and a group of juveniles to see if they are related.
Duval noted that it has been determined that the majority of the identified juveniles from the most recent incident live outside Somersworth.
The owners of Wm. Poole Confections reacted to the earlier attack with expected outrage on the business' Facebook Page.
"On the evening of Sunday, July 16, two-individuals of a small group of young people attempted to break in to our residence, they made it up and onto the ledge roof of the building when I discovered the noise and yelled at them to get out and get down off the roof," a July 17 post reads. 'When confronted on the sidewalk, the group shouted homophobic slurs at us."
The post also noted that the group was comprised mostly of preteens and teens.
The owners say the business is closed for now as they plan their next move, and they plan to reopen in late summer.
Duval said this is an open and active probe and that more interviews are planned.
Anyone who has information relative to this investigation are urged to contact Somersworth Police at 603-692-3131, or you can leave an anonymous tip by phone at 603-692-9111 or online by visiting https://www.somersworth.com/police/webforms/submit-tip.