Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald and Rochester Police Chief Paul Toussaint announce that an arraignment has been scheduled for Justin Belanger (age 19) on charges of second degree murder in connection with the death of Billy Ahearn (female) in Rochester, New Hampshire at about midnight on June 5/6, 2018.

An arrest warrant had been issued for Mr. Belanger, based on alternative charges of second degree murder, RSA 630:1-b, one for knowingly causing Ms. Ahearn's death by shooting her with a pistol, and the other for recklessly causing her death, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, by shooting her with a pistol. When the arrest warrant was issued, Mr. Belanger was in custody in Maine. Mr. Belanger waived extradition to New Hampshire and was transported to the State earlier today.

Mr. Belanger is scheduled to be arraigned in Strafford County Superior Court at 8:45 a.m. on April 12, 2019.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and Mr. Belanger is presumed innocent until proven guilty.