Police seek information about stabbing incident in Franklin on Friday

FRANKLIN — One person has been charged in a stabbing incident police say was an act of domestic violence on Friday, and Franklin officers are still investigating.

According to Franklin police, Jason Fortine was allegedly stabbed by former girlfriend Renee Drolet at the Fast Food Mart on North Main Street on May 30. Police received a call about the incident at 5:15 p.m., and arrived at the scene shortly after.

Franklin Chief Daniel Poirier said the victim was transferred to Concord Hospital-Concord. A case summary from Franklin District Court states Fortine suffered serious bodily injury from a knife wound, which punctured his lung. At press time, Poirier said he doesn't know if Fortine had been released from the hospital.

Drolet, 50, of Franklin, was arraigned in Franklin District Court Monday on charges related to the incident. Drolet is facing nine criminal counts, including assault, assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence assault, being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon, self-defense weapon possession by a felon, and falsifying physical evidence, as well as a misdemeanor charge of criminal use of a self-defense weapon. Drolet was previously charged and convicted of felony burglary in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Poirier said the incident was domestic violence, and there is no danger to the public, but the investigation is ongoing. Poirier asks any eyewitnesses, or anyone with information about the incident, to call Franklin Police at 603-934-2535.

“There's a few videos going around, or at least one video going around, so we ask for those people to reach out to us,” Poirier said.

Despite one person already facing charges, Poirier said the investigation is necessary.

“The investigation is always ongoing. Even though we've made an arrest, we feel that we have all the pertinent information. But if there's any information out there that people may have that they think may be useful, then we urge them to call us.”

Franklin Det. Kendall Poirier said the department refers victims of domestic violence to Thrive Survivor Support Center, formerly the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire. Thrive provides a 24-hour-per-day hotline at 866-841-6229, as well as a text hotline, available 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 603-606-9766. Police officers will also accompany people to help retrieve belongings, or be present when a former partner retrieves theirs. The police department also has an Adverse Childhood Experience Resource Team who goes out monthly to offer services with Merrimack County, including therapy for children, or connecting them with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire. Officers also make follow up calls to domestic violence victims and provide assistance navigating the court system. Det. Poirier is related to Chief Poirier through marriage to the chief's cousin.

Anyone experiencing domestic violence can also call the Franklin City Welfare Department at 603-934-3404 for temporary relocation, New Hampshire 211, and the state Division for Children, Youth and Families at 603-271-6562. The National Domestic Violence line is 800-799-7233.

“It takes a while for victims and survivors to [call] in and report it,” Det. Poirier said. “It is a very common thing, unfortunately, but just knowing that there is support out there to assist them when they're ready to report."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify the name of the Adverse Childhood Experience Resource Team.