Suspect in DV shooting at homeless camp arrested

Michael Berencsi (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - The suspect in a shooting at a Rochester homeless camp on Friday was arrested early today by police.

Michael Berencsi, 48, a city transient, was taken into custody around 3:05 a.m. after police received an anonymous tip that a male matching his description had been seen on South Main Street near the Rochester Commons.

An officer responding to an unrelated call in the area tried to arrest Berencsi, but he briefly before being taken into custody near the Rochester One Stop gas station.

Berencsi was charged with second degree assault with a firearm, criminal threatening with a deadly weapon and violation of a protective order.

In addition to those charges, Berencsi was also arrested on an active warrant charging him with Violation of Protective Order and Criminal Trespass stemming from a separate incident on July 17.
Friday's shooting occurred around 5 a.m. when Berensci allegedly shot a woman at a homeless camp in a wooded area not far from Wendy's restaurant.

The woman who was shot - allegedly as part of a DV incident - suffered serious, nonlife threatening injuries and was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

​Berencsi refused bail and was transported to Strafford County Jail where he will be arraigned on Monday.

​Police are asking that anyone who may have any information regarding this incident contact them at 603-330-7128. Tipsters can also provide information and remain anonymous by calling the Rochester Crime Line at 603-335-6500 or Text to: CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.