Bar owner: Murder suspect booted from bar an hour before deadly shooting

Jan. 29—The owner of the Goat Bar and Grill in Manchester says the man accused of shooting another man to death was asked to leave his establishment about an hour before the murder, which occurred outdoors on Old Granite Street.

Manchester police say a dispute occurred inside the bar that led to the confrontation out in the street, in which one man shot another multiple times.

"It was not like there was a fight that spilled into the road and that happened," owner Al Fleury said during a phone interview Sunday morning.

The Goat, which replaced Club ManchVegas, opened in October 2021.

"It's unfortunate for sure. You don't want to hear about any of that stuff," Fleury said. "It's just sad that it is happening in New Hampshire and more and more it seems in Manchester."

John Delee, 22, of Salem, was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Timothy Pouliot, 24, of Manchester.

Officers arrived on the scene at 12:47 a.m. after a report of gunshots on Old Granite Street, and found Pouliot on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Pouliot was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fleury said in his 20 years in the restaurant and nightclub industry he has never experienced anything like it.

"I'm sad for all the families involved," he said.

A video posted on multiple social media accounts shows Pouliot punching Delee, who then is seen immediately pulling a gun and firing multiple rounds.

Fleury said he believes the confrontation inside may have been with another person and the aggression from Delee appears to have far exceeded that of a bar spat.

A vigil was held Saturday night at Z10 Gibsons Gym, a gym with tae kwon do, on the West Side.

The nearby SoHo Bistro and Lounge featured a handwritten sign, "NO Weapons Beyond this Point! -Management." The bistro posted a note on Facebook.

"Thankfully these events were not started in our establishment, however we'd like to thank and acknowledge that Manchester PD was quick to respond and instrumental in ending the threat to anyone else," the note read. "We would also like to thank our security team who were essential in locking down our establishment in a safe and timely manner."

A GoFundMe has raised $4,475 of the $10,000 goal as of 5 p.m. Sunday for funeral expenses and to support Pouliot's daughter, Arabella, 2.

Eliza Waid, who started the campaign, went out to dinner with Pouliot a few hours before the murder. Pouliot — who went by Timmy — was a kind soul and great father, she said.

"He helped people out when they were down and he lifted them back up with his words," she said. "He motivated people to do what is right. He always put his daughter above everything."

His father, Alan, remembers meeting someone who said Pouliot helped him get over suicidal thoughts and turn his life around. He always liked to share motivational videos on social media.

"His life was about helping other people," said Alan Pouliot, who said he is leaning on God to get through the death of his son.

He has spoken to many people who knew his son, including those from tae kwon do and Creative Vision Flooring Design where he worked installing floors.

"I didn't know that he had that many people who he had an impact on their lives," Alan Pouliot said.

In 2019, a murder took place in the former Club ManchVegas parking lot after a confrontation inside. Other clubs in that section of downtown have also drawn a significant police presence over the years, including the former Whiskey's 20.

Fleury has previously said part of the goal in opening in Manchester was to help clean up that section of the city.

"We try to be a positive influence on that town," he said. "We try to focus on food and country music and create good energy. I'm sorry that happened outside our spot."

On Sunday, the Goat featured a sign outdoors that read, "Brunch is always a good idea." The bar and lounge area had a decent crowd around 10:15 a.m.

Fleury said the restaurant group requests and pays to have police details on busy weekend nights. One was there Friday into Saturday, he said.

He was encouraged after a recent meeting with Police Chief Allen Aldenberg.

"We are aware that it is a city," he said. "It is our cityscape location, we understand that. There is a big population there."

Delee is expected to be arraigned Monday morning.

Police continue to investigate and ask those who witnessed the shooting to call Detective Morgan Lovejoy at 603-792-5529, or the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040.

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To donate to the Pouliot family, go to gofund.me/3f4676ca.