Bernard Doe, 19, of Manchester

MANCHESTER — The 7-11 store at 85 South Main St. was the scene of a late-night brawl Tuesday, which police say apparently stemmed from a confrontation between two groups of individuals.

Arriving officers found a 40-year-old man lying in the street near the intersection of South Main and Parker streets bleeding from the head, police said.

As medical personnel tended to him, a witness told officers that a group of “young, Black males” was inside the store allegedly causing trouble and trying to steal things, police said.

When the victim and other customers confronted the allegedly unruly individuals, an argument ensued and quickly escalated.

Someone punched the victim in the face, witnesses told police, and at that point the skirmish spilled outside, where the altercation resumed and the alleged victim was assaulted again, police said.

The injured man fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement, police added. He suffered what were described as life-threatening injuries and was transported to Catholic Medical Center for treatment.

Meanwhile, the alleged perpetrators of the incident took off in a vehicle, police said.

Officers and detectives investigating the incident were able to identify “multiple suspects related to this incident,” police said, adding that they arrested four of them.

One of them was Bernard Doe, 19, of Manchester, who was charged with felony riot. The other three suspects weren’t identified because they are juveniles. They, like Doe, face felony riot charges, police said.

They added that the investigation is continuing, and ask anyone with any information about the incident to contact police headquarters at 668-8711.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.