Justin Spirko, 39, of Londonderry, is charged with attempted capital murder after intentionally hitting a Laconia Police officer with his car on Aug. 22. Courtesy photo

LACONIA – Justin Spirko, 38, of Londonderry, has been charged with attempted capital murder after he allegedly struck Laconia Police Officer John Skehan with his car on the evening of Aug. 22.

According to Laconia Police, officers responded to Sun Valley Cottages on the northern end of Lake Winnipesaukee at 7:25 p.m. The initial report indicated that Spirko was intoxicated and had threatened another individual in a neighboring cottage.

Officer Erica Beliveau was first on the scene and approached Spirko, whom she found inside a Honda CRV.

According to police, Spirko put the vehicle in drive and raced directly at Beliveau. However, she was able to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Spirko then left the property and headed southbound on Rt. 3 toward Weirs Beach.

While en route, Spirko came upon Skehan who had parked his patrol car on the side of the road and was walking toward Sun Valley. According to police, Spirko veered to the right and into the breakdown lane. He then struck Skehan’s vehicle and Skehan with the intention of killing him.

As a result of the impact, Skehan was thrown several feet into the air and suffered a compound leg fracture. He was rushed to Concord Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and was released on Aug. 25. Although it will be several months before he can return to duty, Skehan is expected to make a full recovery.

“Please make no mistake, this was a very intentional and malicious criminal act of violence against one of our police officers and is quite simply unconscionable,” said Laconia Police Chief Matthew Canfield. “We are fully committed to ensuring that he will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in partnership with the Belknap County Attorney’s Office.”

State Troopers Thomas McSweeney and Charles Brooks had also responded to the call. According to the Probable Cause Affidavit from Det. Kendra Neri, Spirko ignored several commands from McSweeney to “keep his hands visible.” Fearing that Spirko was reaching for a weapon, McSweeney responded with pepper spray.

Even after the pepper spray was deployed, Spirko remained confrontational yelling: “F–k you, you rat bi–, I ran over one of your random officers.”

“The suspect was extremely uncooperative with officers on the scene,” said Canfield. “He continued to fight and resist the efforts of officers to take him into custody.”

Once he was finally in handcuffs, Spirko was taken to the Laconia campus of Concord Hospital with minor injuries.

“While at the hospital, Spirko told Troopers Brooks and McSweeney that he wanted to kill a cop and he would kill one of them if he got the chance,” said Neri.

Spirko was held without bail and waived his right to an arraignment. In addition to the attempted capital murder of a police officer, he is also charged with attempted first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, two counts of criminal threatening, driving under the influence of intoxicants, criminal mischief, simple assault, two counts of resisting arrest and two counts of reckless conduct.

Under state law, if convicted, Spirko could face 34 years to life in prison and up to $28,000 in fines.

In May 2023, Spirko was arrested by Nashua Police for reportedly threatening to burn down the apartment building at 31 Royal Crest Dr. during an hours-long standoff. In April of this year, Spirko was arrested by Belmont Police after he allegedly fired a crossbow at a building.