MANCHESTER, NH — Two men are in custody following an early-morning shooting Nov. 5 on the city’s West Side that left two people injured. The shooting appears to have begun as a dispute over a flag, police say.

Michael Sirois of Chester is charged with shooting two people, and Jason Gerry of Sandown is charged with as an accessory to the crime, described in the following police narrative:

At approximately 2:20 a.m., officers responded to the area of 131 Amory St., across from the Manchester Fire Department Engine 6, for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, they found firefighters treating a man exhibiting multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he remains in stable but critical condition. He was subsequently identified as Jarrod Ean-Dixon, 36, of Concord.

The resulting investigation revealed that those allegedly involved in the shooting of Ean-Dixon had fled in a vehicle. Responding officers searched the surrounding neighborhoods and located a vehicle that matched the description of the one that had fled. They stopped the vehicle, and its occupants were later identified as Michael Sirois, 22, of Chester; Jason Gerry, 21, of Sandown; and Kasondra Williams, 20, of Raymond. As Williams exited the vehicle, she exhibited a gunshot wound to her leg, so she was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment. Williams has since been treated and released with a non-life threatening injury.

According to Manchester Police Det. Kenneth Loui, the ongoing investigation currently indicates that Sirois, Gerry, Williams and others had been socializing at the residence of 131 Amory St., and that an argument ensued between Sirois, Gerry, and Ean-Dixon over a flag that was displayed at the residence, a flag that Sirois found offensive.

According to Det. Loui, it was a flag associated with the Free State Project featuring a porcupine and the words “Don’t Tread on Me.” According to Det. Loui, Sirois felt the flag was a desecration of its original form, also known as the “Gadsden flag,” which features the same words but with a snake.

Sirois, Gerry and Williams subsequently left the residence as a result of the argument. However, due to car trouble, Sirois, Gerry, and Williams found themselves back in front of the residence where Sirois and Gerry then engaged in a physical altercation with Ean-Dixon. This altercation precipitated the shootings of both Ean-Dixon and Williams, by Sirois.

Sirois was arrested and has been charged with first-degree assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting of Ean-Dixon and second-degree assault with a deadly weapon for the shooting of Williams. Sirois is being held at Hillsborough County House of Correction on $100,000 cash or surety bail, and is expected to be arraigned on Monday, November 7, at 9th Circuit Manchester District Court.

Jason Gerry was also arrested and charged with second-degree assault for his actions during the physical altercation with Ean-Dixon. Additionally, as the driver of the above vehicle at the time of the stop, Gerry was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving without giving proof, and operating after suspension. Gerry is being held at Hillsborough County House of Correction on $6,000 cash or surety bail, and is also expected to be arraigned on Monday, November 7, at 9th Circuit Manchester District Court.