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Accused NH Wedding Shooter Held Without Bail

Officials have not released a motive in the attack, but are investigating the possibility the two shootings are related

The suspected gunman in a dramatic church shooting in New Hampshire that left three people injured is being held without bail after waiving his arraignment Tuesday as police continue their investigation to determine his motive.

Dale Holloway, 37 did not face a judge at Hillsborough County Superior Court in Nashua on the charges, including attempted murder, in connection with the shooting in Pelham. He is being held without bail pending a bail hearing next week. 

Holloway allegedly shot Choate in the chest and bride Claire McMullen, 60, in the arm at New England Pentecostal Church Saturday. The groom, Mark Castiglione, 60, was wounded when he was pistol-whipped on the head, according to authorities.

A message left for a public defender assigned to his case was not immediately returned.

"I wanted to see him," said parishioner Brenda Murphy, who showed up to the courthouse Tuesday for the arraignment.

Murphy was driving Saturday morning when she got a call from her husband saying that her bishop, 75-year-old Stanley Choate, had been shot.

"I just said, 'Please, tell me he's not dead,'" she recalled.

Holloway has no prior arrest record in New Hampshire, but a criminal history in Massachusetts, court documents revealed Tuesday. He was convicted in 2003 of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault to kill in Massachusetts, according to a complaint filed with the Hillsborough County Superior Court. 

"He is a convicted felon and he does have convicted felonies out of Suffolk County Superior court," Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Benjamin Agati said.

Now, in addition to attempted murder and assault charges, Holloway faces a felon in possession charge for allegedly being in possession of a .380 caliber pistol. 

The bride and groom were treated for their injuries and later released from the hospital. Bishop Choate was taken to Tufts Medical Center in serious condition. He has been upgraded to stable condition.

Wedding guests pinned Holloway down to stop his rampage, authorities said. 

It was the second tragedy to hit the community this month after the death of 60-year-old minister Luis Garcia, who was shot to death Oct. 1 in Londonderry.

Officials have not released a motive in the attack, but are investigating the possibility the two shootings are related. Retaliation may be a possibility.

Holloway, the alleged gunman, is Garcia’s stepson, Agati has confirmed.

Mark Castiglione is the father of the man charged with killing Garcia, Agati said.

Brandon Castiglione, 24, has been charged in the killing of Garcia. He waived arraignment and is currently being held without bail. A phone number or lawyer information for him could not be found.

Murphy says the church community is hurting, but trying to heal through forgiveness.

"It would help me in my heart, what I was taught by Bishop, to love and forgive," she said.

The New Hampshire State Police and Pelham Police Department are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Kelly Healey at the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit at 603-628-8477.

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