In the quiet neighborhood of Sylvain Street in Rochester, New Hampshire, a heated argument shattered the peace of a Sunday evening on May 4, 2014. The altercation, which escalated between two men described as best friends, ultimately resulted in the death of 37-year-old Richard Dumont. The man responsible for the fatal shooting was identified as Robert S.
Crichton, who was 39 at the time.
That evening, Richard Dumont, a plumber and tree worker, had been drinking with another friend before deciding to walk to Crichton's house. An argument ensued between Dumont and Crichton, culminating in a physical confrontation. According to the subsequent investigation, Crichton, who was in the driver's seat of his car, fired two shots from a Walther. 380 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The second shot proved to be fatal, striking Dumont in the chest and perforating his heart.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and Crichton himself made a 911 call in which he expressed distress over his friend's condition. Dumont was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The New Hampshire Attorney General's office launched an investigation into the shooting.
After a thorough review of the evidence, the Attorney General's office ruled that Robert S. Crichton had acted in self-defense. The report concluded that Crichton was beginning to lose consciousness during the assault by Dumont and feared for his life when he fired the fatal shot. As a result of this determination, no criminal charges were filed against Crichton in connection with Richard Dumont's death. The shooting was deemed a justified use of deadly force under New Hampshire law.
