Somersworth man arrested in beating death of elderly man outside city's Walmart

Police today investigating last night's beating death outside the Somersworth Walmart. (Rochester, N.H., Scanner Alerts photo)

SOMERSWORTH - A Somersworth man has been arrested in the Friday night beating death of an elderly Center Ossipee man outside the Somersworth Walmart.

Police got involved around 11:20 p.m. when they responded to the Walmart for a report of one man assaulting another man. Upon arriving, officers found Jan VanTassel, 79, unresponsive with visible head and facial injuries. First responders determined he was dead at the scene.

As a result of an investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained charging Brian Roberge, 52, with one count of second-degree murder, which alleges Roberge recklessly caused the death of VanTassel "under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by striking him repeatedly in the head and face."

Roberge is expected to be arraigned on Monday at Strafford Superior Court in Dover.

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to contact New Hampshire State Police Communications at (603) 223-4381, attention Detective Sergeant Justin Rowe.

Somersworth Police said today they were unable to provide further details on any circumstances surrounding the case.