Two Charged in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Parking Garage Death

Two men have been charged in connection with the death of a man who fell to his death after being chased into the Hanover Street parking garage in Portsmouth.

The encounter on August 26 began upstairs at Portsmouth Gas Light Company where a group of males, including Vincent Panetta, 24, of Barrington and Andrew Lucas, 24, of Farmington, began to yell at the group victim Zachary Colbroth, 28, was with, according to Portsmouth Police Captain Dave Keaveny.

An investigation by the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office and the Portsmouth Police Department concluded Panetta and Lucas assaulted the Rochester man at the entrance to the garage. Colbroth was able to get away, but was followed by Panetta and Lucas. As they approached Colbroth, he climbed over the railing and fell to the sidewalk below.

Colbroth was taken by ambulance to Portsmouth Regional Hospital where he died.

Charges Against Two Men

Panetta and Lucas were both charged with first degree negligent homicide, second degree assault, and multiple misdemeanor counts of simple assault, criminal threatening, and reckless conduct.

Keaveny and the county attorney's office did not disclose the nature of the yelling and if Colbroth, Panetta and Lucas knew knew each other.

Keaveny asked anyone who witnessed the assault or fall or knows anyone who has video to contact him at (603) 610-7511. Anonymous tips can be left at Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603) 431-1199, online at seacoastcrimestoppers.com, and through the new “P3” phone app available as a free download.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via X (Twitter) @DanAlexanderNH