A fugitive from Vermont on the lam for more than a decade and now living in the city was arrested two weeks ago after a night of drinking that led to alleged threats and rounds shot from a semi-automatic gun on Fayette Street.

Nicholas M. Ethier, 35, of Fayette Street in Concord, was arrested at 1:46 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2015, and charged felony fugitive from justice, felony in possession of a dangerous weapon, felony reckless conduct, and felony criminal threatening. According to an arrest report and court documents, officers were called to a rooming house on Fayette Street for a report of gunshots fired, possibly from "an AK-47."

The caller stated that he and a neighbor had returned home from drinking at Penuche's in Bicentennial Square when his neighbor got upset and fired a gun at him a number of times. The man, later identified as Ethier, had left the area. Police staged an area around the rooming house and then located Ethier walking north on Chesley Street near Fayette. He reportedly smelled like alcohol, had bloodshot, red, and glossy eyes, and appeared to be unsteady on his feet.

Dispatch, meanwhile, reported that Ethier was wanted by the Vermont State Police for nonappearance in court from February 2003 on felony charges of DWI, negligent operation grossly with injury, and leaving the scene of an accident, $7,500 cash bail. He also was previously convicted of reckless conduct with a motor vehicle in New Hampshire, according to the report. Ethier was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

Police speak to witnesses

Other officers began speaking to witnesses. Two, the caller and a man Ethier knew who was also at the scene, were taken to police headquarters separately and interviewed by police in separate rooms about the incident. Officers also conducted a canvas of the building and the area and found a bullet hole in the door of the rooming house and a possible impact site on the exterior of the building. Officers also spoke to neighbors and other residents in the area, and no one reported any related injuries to the incident, according to the report.

A detective then met with the caller at police headquarters. The man, another resident at the rooming house, reportedly stated that he and Ethier had been at Penuche's from about 11 p.m. until shortly before closing time when Ethier allegedly "became loud and confrontational with other patrons and staff." When Ethier was told he had to leave, he allegedly punched a ventilation system. The two left and walked home. While walking home, Ethier allegedly took a swing at the caller and he subdued him and tried to calm him down. When they got home, they separated and the caller went to get a mutual friend because he was "concerned for Nick's condition." The other man agreed to talk to Ethier and knocked on his door.