Alleged homophobic attack at Somersworth's Wm. Poole Confections investigated

SOMERSWORTH — An alleged assault at Wm. Poole Confections Monday night left both owners injured and the shop is now closed as the owners consider their next steps, according to owner William Poole.

Incidents at the High Street business Monday and on July 16 included homophobic slurs against William Poole and his husband, Loren, he said.

Somersworth police Capt. Matt Duval said police are investigating, multiple juveniles are believed to be involved, a firearm was seized and police are "looking into whether or not these two incidents rise to the level of civil rights violations against the two business owners due to their sexual orientation."

Duval declined to answer who the gun was seized from, citing the ongoing investigation.

Early Tuesday, Poole said both he and his husband Loren required medical attention following what they described on Facebook as a vicious attack. The Wm. Poole Confection website now states it is permanently closed.

Poole wrote he was struck on the eye with a blunt instrument a few times and once in the mouth.

"This past evening, we were attacked again by the same people, again on the ledge trying to get into the residence. Tonight, escalated into a hate-fueled assault on Loren and myself, with additional homophobic taunts and an attack with weapons," Poole wrote in a post on Monday night.

Police provide update on investigation

Capt. Duval said police responded to the shop Monday night after receiving a report that several juveniles tried to break into the residence at 56 High St., above the business.

"The business owners allegedly confronted the juveniles on the sidewalk out in front. Shortly thereafter a physical altercation ensured between the two business owners and the group of juveniles. 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," Duval stated in a police press release.

Duval said two juveniles and one adult were transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Duval also mentioned the firearm.

"It was also reported that a firearm was brandished during the physical altercation on the sidewalk in front of Somersworth City Hall," Duval stated in the press release. "A firearm was seized by officers during the investigation. The firearm was not reportedly discharged during the incident."

Duval said Somersworth police are also looking into a prior incident on July 16 involving the same business owners and a group of juveniles to see if they are related. "It has been determined that the majority of the identified juveniles from the most recent incident reside outside the city of Somersworth," he stated.

Somersworth police ask anyone who has information to call 603-692-3131 or report a tip anonymously by phone at 603-692-9111 or at somersworth.com/police/webforms/submit-tip.

Poole says he and husband are 'shaken'

"We're both out of hospital, lacerations, bruises and concussion, CT scan & stitches — and shaken," Poole wrote in a Facebook post. "I fear for my life and that of my partner, and I fear that our home and business with be further antagonized or damaged. We will not reenter our home and business without police escort. I will defend myself and my home, and my partner's life and our home."

Poole said all events the business planned, including farmer's markets and parties/weddings, are canceled and refunds will be given. He said the shop is closed.

Poole alleged earlier that on Sunday, July 16, two individuals in a small group of young people attempted to break into the shop. He said the unidentified persons got onto the ledge roof of the building. He said he yelled at them to get down off the roof.

In his post, Poole said that when confronted on the sidewalk, the group shouted homophobic slurs.

"The group either called us Nazis or said they were going to sic Nazis on us, it’s unclear what they thought they were verbally projecting, either way it is disturbing to hear that type of talk when this country literally went to war over such a thing-they probably don’t teach that in schools anymore."

Poole said the shop has security cameras and the footage will be reviewed. He believed the perpetrators were teenagers.

"Since moving here, I’ve been called F*G three times in as many years," Poole wrote in his post. "Tell me something I don’t know. I’m not so much put off by this other than being embarrassed for the lack of wit or originality. It does make a continued-tiresome dent in where, and how I want to conduct business."

Local leaders, residents express support

Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard issued a statement on the incident:

"The foundation of the Hilltop City and nation is built upon the vast diversity of citizens from which it draws its strength. We are a community of different ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations. When one member of our community is attacked, all members of our community are attacked. The Hilltopper spirt of neighbor helping neighbor will continue to shine its light and overpower any darkness, prejudice or act of hate that attempt to erode the character of who we truly are," Hilliard wrote in his statement. "Somersworth stands with William Poole and his husband Loren and will do everything it can to help our fellow citizens and ensure that justice is brought against the assailants.

"The ugly face of hate continues to raise its head in all 50 states  and is gaining strength through the open assault on all minorities and members of the LGBTQ+ community, by elected officials who are validating actions of discrimination, hate, and assault through the narrative of intolerance they continue to spread," Hilliard said. "Today we reaffirm our commitment to celebrating all, to standing with our neighbors William and Loren, and to continuing the journey of all who have stood before hate, to create the city and nation we promised to the world we would, a place where all are protected and celebrated. Hate has never and will never have a place in Somersworth or America!"

State Sen. David Watters of Dover, whose District 4 includes Somersworth, also issued a statement.

“The state of New Hampshire, including the District 4 communities of Somersworth and Dover, has seen a rise in expressions of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and discrimination," Watters said. "These incidents are not unique nor limited to the Granite State, but as an elected official who knows that our community values oppose prejudice in all its forms, it is important to combat bias and bigotry wherever and whenever it occurs. Although community leaders in Somersworth, Dover, and across the state have worked to create welcoming and inclusive places, there is clearly more to be done to safeguard those efforts and our LGBTQ+ neighbors.

“The emboldening of individuals to engage in hateful behavior comes from many different sources in our culture, and we must continue to come together to thwart efforts by those who choose to spread hate in our streets and neighborhoods," Watters said. "I want all of my constituents in District 4, and every Granite Stater, to know that I will continue to fight for them in Concord and here in my district, as hate has no home in the Granite State.”

Emmett Soldati is a Somersworth native and owner of the former Teatotaller cafe on High Street, which was a big part of the local LGBTQ community and still operates in Concord. He said more needs to be done to prevent homophobic attacks locally and nationally.

"And by no means is it a Somersworth problem," said Soldati. "It is happening everywhere in our state and across the nation. I think groups like those with hate messages became more emboldened and began to be more organized because of the Trump administration. I feel terrible for what happened to William, and I think our leadership needs to stand up."

Soldati said when he was in Somersworth, he felt the community was generally supportive. He has opened Teatotaller in Concord which a few weeks ago saw a demonstration of white supremacists, who demonstrated outside his restaurant during a drag story hour.

"The threat is changing, and we need to take it seriously," Soldati said.

Crystal Paradis, a city resident and former city councilor, also expressed her concern.

"It is deeply upsetting that this hateful act of violence happened in the heart of our downtown to our beloved neighbors," Paradis said. "If we want to be the type of community where this could never happen, we have to step up and make sure that bigotry never goes unchallenged. William and Loren have invested so much in our community, and I hope our city responds by surrounding them with unwavering love and support."

Paradis has set up a GoFundMe page at gofund.me/8aa9cabb to help William and Loren as they figure out their next steps.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Homophobic attack alleged in Somersworth NH at Wm. Poole Confections