To the editor:
Just in case people think “air guns” are not dangerous, the “Owner’s Operation Manual” of the airgun used by Lane Lesko carries the following WARNING: “THIS AIR PISTOL CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.”
Trooper Tracy “believed that the gun was an Airsoft gun and, in fact, yelled that Lesko had an Airsoft gun.” However, he was mistaken. As you can see on page 19 of the NH AG’S report, regarding the physical evidence:
“A black Umarex XBG BB gun was also recovered at the scene, a few feet from Lane Lesko’s body. The safety on that BB gun was in the “fire” position. That gun had a magazine with 16 metal BBs in it. The magazine could hold 19 BBs when full. The absence of 3 BBs from the magazine is consistent with the 3 shots Trooper Tracy said that Lesko fired at him and the other officers. Lesko was also wearing a black, nylon gun holster on his hip. ”
There is a huge difference between an Airsoft gun, which shoots (generally) non-lethal plastic pellets, and an “BB gun” (also called an “air gun”), which shoots potentially lethal metal BB pellets. Mr. Lesko had the latter, and the evidence shows that he deliberately shot 3 metal BB pellets at Chief Giammarino and Trooper Tracy.
I want to thank all law enforcement officers as they protect and serve the citizens of our towns each and every day. And a special salute to Chief Giammarino, Cpl. Edsall and Trooper Tracy for their bravery in the face of a dangerous and unpredictable confrontation.
Teresa Cadorette
Peterborough