Michael Gleason of Berlin, NH Arrested in Fatal Shooting Outside La Casita Family Restaurant
Berlin, New Hampshire — A community is in mourning and shock today following the arrest of Michael Gleason, 50, of PO Box 718, Berlin, NH, after the fatal shooting of his estranged wife, Marisol Fuentes, outside the couple’s family-owned restaurant, La Casita, located on Hillside Avenue.
The shooting occurred in broad daylight on the morning of July 6th, 2025, just hours after Gleason was released from the Coös County Department of Corrections, where he had been detained on charges related to domestic violence involving Fuentes. According to police sources, the couple had been separated and were in the process of divorce, and tensions between them had escalated in recent months.
Emergency responders were called to the scene at approximately 10:42 a.m. Witnesses say an argument erupted outside the restaurant before shots rang out. Marisol Fuentes, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene. Gleason was apprehended nearby without incident by Berlin Police officers, who had responded swiftly to multiple 911 calls from local businesses and patrons in the area.
The tragedy has cast a dark shadow over what was once considered a beloved family-run establishment in Berlin. La Casita, known for its Latin-American cuisine and warm, community-oriented atmosphere, had been operated by Fuentes and her family for years. Regular customers described Marisol as “the heart and soul of the restaurant” — a mother, friend, and fierce entrepreneur who brought joy to everyone she served.
“This is an unbearable loss,” said one longtime patron. “Marisol was a strong woman. She worked hard for everything she had and didn’t deserve this.”
Troubled History
The incident has sparked outrage not just because of its violence, but because of Gleason’s long and disturbing criminal record. Public records show that between 2013 and 2014, Michael Gleason was indicted on 59 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. He was accused of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled woman who was in the care of his then-wife, Marisol Fuentes.
Though the full legal resolution of those charges has yet to be disclosed in publicly available records, they represent a significant chapter in Gleason’s legal history and played a role in his previous incarceration. The serious nature of the charges and the fact that he was recently released from jail in connection with a separate domestic violence charge involving the same victim he allegedly murdered raises difficult questions about the systems meant to protect survivors.
While investigators continue to gather evidence, domestic violence advocates and legal experts are calling for accountability and a reexamination of how the criminal justice system handles high-risk offenders — particularly in domestic abuse cases with a history of escalation and prior violence.
Community Reaction
Berlin Mayor Linda Carignan issued a statement expressing condolences to the Fuentes family and acknowledging the larger crisis of domestic violence that affects many across the region.
“Today we grieve the loss of a woman who was a cherished part of our community. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and everyone impacted by this tragedy. We must do more to support victims of domestic abuse and ensure that protective systems are swift, responsive, and effective.”
Friends and family of Marisol are organizing a candlelight vigil to be held later this week outside La Casita in her memory. Community leaders are also mobilizing support efforts for her surviving children and relatives, who are now left to navigate this loss amidst their grief.
Looking Ahead
Michael Gleason remains in custody and is expected to face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the fatal shooting. An arraignment is anticipated in the coming days, where prosecutors are likely to detail the sequence of events leading up to the attack and pursue the case with the gravity it demands.
For many in Berlin, the death of Marisol Fuentes is not just a personal loss — it’s a communal wound. One that serves as a harsh reminder of the deadly consequences of domestic violence, and the urgent need for reform, awareness, and resources to prevent such tragedies in the future.