PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Editor's note: The video above was published Aug. 27, 2023.
Two men face several charges after a man fell from a parking garage in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and died in August.
According to a joint statement from the Rockingham County Attorney's Office and the Portsmouth Police Department, 24-year-old Vincent Panetta of Barrington, New Hampshire and 24-year-old Andrew Lucas of Farmington, New Hampshire have been charged in connection with the death of Zachary Colbroth.
Just before 1 a.m. on Aug. 26, Portsmouth police responded to an alleged assault involving multiple people in the Hanover Street area between the Portsmouth Gaslight, which is a restaurant and entertainment venue, and the Hanover Street Parking Garage.
Officials say a confrontation began at the Gaslight Night Club and involved a group of males who were yelling at Colbroth and the group he was with. Panetta and Lucas allegedly assaulted Colbroth by the entrance to the Hanover Street Parking Garage, the release said. Both men then pursued Colbroth after he reportedly fled into the garage.
"According to eyewitness testimony, Colbroth continued walking away into the parking garage and then attempted to climb onto the rail of the parking garage as Panetta and Lucas continued to approach him," the release stated. "While climbing over the rail, he then fell over the side of the garage to the sidewalk below."
Colbroth was reportedly brought to the Portsmouth Regional Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Panetta and Lucas now face several charges including negligent homicide, second-degree assault, simple assault, criminal threatening, and reckless conduct, according to the release.
Those with information regarding the investigation are asked to contact Dave Keaveny, captain of the investigative division, at 603 610-7511 or KeavenyD@portsmouthnhpd.gov. You can also leave an anonymous tip through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199, online at www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com, and through the "P3" phone app.