Carl Drega
Spree Killing Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
Colebrook, New Hampshire
TIME PERIOD
August 19, 1997
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On August 19, 1997, in Colebrook, New Hampshire, Carl Drega, a 62-year-old man with a history of disputes with local government officials, engaged in a violent spree that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two New Hampshire state troopers, a judge, and a newspaper editor. The incident began when Trooper Scott Phillips stopped Drega for a vehicle violation; Drega responded by opening fire with a Colt AR-15 rifle. Following the initial shooting, Drega fled to Bloomfield, Vermont, where he was ultimately killed in a gunfight with law enforcement. Four additional officers were injured during the confrontation. The case remains a significant example of the dangers posed by individuals with long-standing grievances against authorities.
Carl Drega's actions are believed to stem from a long-standing feud with government officials over property disputes, which escalated into violence against law enforcement and local authorities. Some speculate that his mental state deteriorated due to these ongoing conflicts, contributing to his decision to carry out the spree killing. Additionally, there are theories that suggest Drega felt a sense of injustice and desperation, leading him to view his violent outburst as a form of retribution against those he believed wronged him.
The Tragic Tale of Carl Drega: A Deadly Feud in Colebrook
On the morning of August 19, 1997, the quaint town of Colebrook, New Hampshire, became the backdrop for a chilling spree of violence. Carl Drega, a 62-year-old man with a long-standing grudge against government officials, unleashed a deadly rampage that left four people dead and four others injured, forever altering the fabric of this small community.
A Troubled Past
Born on January 19, 1935, in New Haven, Connecticut, Carl Drega was the son of Polish immigrants. He claimed to have served in the U.S. military during the Korean War, a chapter of his life shrouded in mystery. Drega's career in construction eventually led him to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he built a home in Bow with his wife Rita between 1969 and 1970. Tragedy struck when Rita was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1972, leaving Drega to navigate life alone.
Drega's conflict with the authorities began in the 1970s over code enforcement issues concerning his vacation home in Columbia, New Hampshire, by the Connecticut River. A major dispute erupted in 1981 when a rainstorm caused significant erosion to his riverbank property. Drega attempted to restore his land by dumping dirt, a move contested by state officials who accused him of trying to alter the river's course. This tension simmered over the years, reaching a boiling point in 1995 when town selectman Vickie Bunnell and a tax assessor visited his property, prompting Drega to fire warning shots.
Fueled by paranoia and anger, Drega armed himself with a Colt AR-15 rifle and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. He fortified his property with surveillance equipment, preparing for a confrontation he believed inevitable.
The Deadly Day
By 2:30 p.m. on that fateful August day, Drega's simmering animosity erupted. New Hampshire State Trooper Scott Phillips pulled Drega over in the parking lot of LaPerle's IGA supermarket in Colebrook for a routine vehicle inspection. It quickly escalated when Drega emerged from his truck with his rifle, shooting Phillips. Despite being wounded, Phillips returned fire before attempting to flee. Drega pursued him into a nearby field and ended his life.
Moments later, Trooper Leslie Lord arrived on the scene. From a distance of 150 feet, Drega shot and killed Lord before he could even exit his vehicle. Seizing Phillips' police car, Drega drove to the Colebrook District Court, where Judge Vickie Bunnell worked. Bunnell, who had feared Drega's wrath for years, tried to warn others and escape. Tragically, Drega shot her in the back as she fled, killing her.
As chaos unfolded, Dennis Joos, the editor of the local Colebrook News and Sentinel, attempted to intervene. In a struggle to disarm Drega, Joos was also shot and killed. Drega then returned to his Columbia home, setting it ablaze before fleeing across state lines to Bloomfield, Vermont.
The Final Stand
In Bloomfield, Drega made his last stand. New Hampshire Fish & Game Warden Wayne Saunders identified Drega driving the stolen police car. A firefight ensued, leaving Saunders wounded but alive, thanks to his badge deflecting a potentially fatal bullet. Drega's final battle unfolded on a dead-end road where he ambushed the pursuing officers, wounding New Hampshire State Troopers Jeffrey Caulder and Robert Haase, along with U.S. Border Patrol agent John Pfeifer.
The standoff reached its climax as officers, including NH State Trooper Charles West and Border Patrol agent Stephen Brooks, advanced on Drega's position. As Drega emerged from behind a tree, Brooks and West fired simultaneously, ending his life and the terrifying ordeal. Remarkably, Agent Pfeifer survived his injuries and continued his service with the Border Patrol for over two decades.
Remembering the Fallen
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community of Colebrook sought to honor those lost. U.S. Route 3 was renamed to commemorate Troopers Leslie G. Lord and Scott E. Phillips, while the Vickie Bunnell Preserve now surrounds Bunnell Mountain in Columbia. A memorial stone bearing the inscription, "Their Deeds Are Their Memorials," stands near the News and Sentinel building, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives cut short by Carl Drega's fury.
Sources
For a more in-depth understanding of this tragic event, please refer to the original Wikipedia article here.
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Carl Drega Born
Carl Drega is born in New Haven, Connecticut.
Shooting Begins
Drega shoots and kills Trooper Scott Phillips in Colebrook.
Trooper Killed
Drega kills Trooper Leslie Lord shortly after Phillips.
Judge Murdered
Drega shoots and kills Judge Vickie Bunnell in her office.
Editor Killed
Drega kills Dennis Joos, editor of the local newspaper.
Drega's Last Stand
Drega engages in a gunfight with police in Bloomfield.
Drega Killed
Drega is shot and killed by law enforcement officers.
On August 19, 1997, in Colebrook, New Hampshire, Carl Drega, a 62-year-old man with a history of disputes with local government officials, engaged in a violent spree that resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two New Hampshire state troopers, a judge, and a newspaper editor. The incident began when Trooper Scott Phillips stopped Drega for a vehicle violation; Drega responded by opening fire with a Colt AR-15 rifle. Following the initial shooting, Drega fled to Bloomfield, Vermont, where he was ultimately killed in a gunfight with law enforcement. Four additional officers were injured during the confrontation. The case remains a significant example of the dangers posed by individuals with long-standing grievances against authorities.
Carl Drega's actions are believed to stem from a long-standing feud with government officials over property disputes, which escalated into violence against law enforcement and local authorities. Some speculate that his mental state deteriorated due to these ongoing conflicts, contributing to his decision to carry out the spree killing. Additionally, there are theories that suggest Drega felt a sense of injustice and desperation, leading him to view his violent outburst as a form of retribution against those he believed wronged him.
The Tragic Tale of Carl Drega: A Deadly Feud in Colebrook
On the morning of August 19, 1997, the quaint town of Colebrook, New Hampshire, became the backdrop for a chilling spree of violence. Carl Drega, a 62-year-old man with a long-standing grudge against government officials, unleashed a deadly rampage that left four people dead and four others injured, forever altering the fabric of this small community.
A Troubled Past
Born on January 19, 1935, in New Haven, Connecticut, Carl Drega was the son of Polish immigrants. He claimed to have served in the U.S. military during the Korean War, a chapter of his life shrouded in mystery. Drega's career in construction eventually led him to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he built a home in Bow with his wife Rita between 1969 and 1970. Tragedy struck when Rita was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in 1972, leaving Drega to navigate life alone.
Drega's conflict with the authorities began in the 1970s over code enforcement issues concerning his vacation home in Columbia, New Hampshire, by the Connecticut River. A major dispute erupted in 1981 when a rainstorm caused significant erosion to his riverbank property. Drega attempted to restore his land by dumping dirt, a move contested by state officials who accused him of trying to alter the river's course. This tension simmered over the years, reaching a boiling point in 1995 when town selectman Vickie Bunnell and a tax assessor visited his property, prompting Drega to fire warning shots.
Fueled by paranoia and anger, Drega armed himself with a Colt AR-15 rifle and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. He fortified his property with surveillance equipment, preparing for a confrontation he believed inevitable.
The Deadly Day
By 2:30 p.m. on that fateful August day, Drega's simmering animosity erupted. New Hampshire State Trooper Scott Phillips pulled Drega over in the parking lot of LaPerle's IGA supermarket in Colebrook for a routine vehicle inspection. It quickly escalated when Drega emerged from his truck with his rifle, shooting Phillips. Despite being wounded, Phillips returned fire before attempting to flee. Drega pursued him into a nearby field and ended his life.
Moments later, Trooper Leslie Lord arrived on the scene. From a distance of 150 feet, Drega shot and killed Lord before he could even exit his vehicle. Seizing Phillips' police car, Drega drove to the Colebrook District Court, where Judge Vickie Bunnell worked. Bunnell, who had feared Drega's wrath for years, tried to warn others and escape. Tragically, Drega shot her in the back as she fled, killing her.
As chaos unfolded, Dennis Joos, the editor of the local Colebrook News and Sentinel, attempted to intervene. In a struggle to disarm Drega, Joos was also shot and killed. Drega then returned to his Columbia home, setting it ablaze before fleeing across state lines to Bloomfield, Vermont.
The Final Stand
In Bloomfield, Drega made his last stand. New Hampshire Fish & Game Warden Wayne Saunders identified Drega driving the stolen police car. A firefight ensued, leaving Saunders wounded but alive, thanks to his badge deflecting a potentially fatal bullet. Drega's final battle unfolded on a dead-end road where he ambushed the pursuing officers, wounding New Hampshire State Troopers Jeffrey Caulder and Robert Haase, along with U.S. Border Patrol agent John Pfeifer.
The standoff reached its climax as officers, including NH State Trooper Charles West and Border Patrol agent Stephen Brooks, advanced on Drega's position. As Drega emerged from behind a tree, Brooks and West fired simultaneously, ending his life and the terrifying ordeal. Remarkably, Agent Pfeifer survived his injuries and continued his service with the Border Patrol for over two decades.
Remembering the Fallen
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the community of Colebrook sought to honor those lost. U.S. Route 3 was renamed to commemorate Troopers Leslie G. Lord and Scott E. Phillips, while the Vickie Bunnell Preserve now surrounds Bunnell Mountain in Columbia. A memorial stone bearing the inscription, "Their Deeds Are Their Memorials," stands near the News and Sentinel building, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives cut short by Carl Drega's fury.
Sources
For a more in-depth understanding of this tragic event, please refer to the original Wikipedia article here.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
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Join the discussion
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Carl Drega Born
Carl Drega is born in New Haven, Connecticut.
Shooting Begins
Drega shoots and kills Trooper Scott Phillips in Colebrook.
Trooper Killed
Drega kills Trooper Leslie Lord shortly after Phillips.
Judge Murdered
Drega shoots and kills Judge Vickie Bunnell in her office.
Editor Killed
Drega kills Dennis Joos, editor of the local newspaper.
Drega's Last Stand
Drega engages in a gunfight with police in Bloomfield.
Drega Killed
Drega is shot and killed by law enforcement officers.