Crime & Safety

Police Investigating Alleged Rape at Large 4th of July Party in Portsmouth

Two residents are facing charges violating social host laws for party that included the theft of prescription drugs and a 17-year-old charged with DUI.

Portsmouth police are investigating an alleged rape that occurred at a 4th of July party at a Bayview Avenue home and two brothers who hosted the party are now facing charges of procuring alcohol for minors.

Police said the rape occurred at a party hosted by Tyler Blanchard Gammons, 22, of 2 Bayview Ave., and his brother, Connor B. Gammons, 23, of the same address, during which more than 100 people attended — including a 17-year-old juvenile who reportedly drove drunk to a house on Bristol Ferry Road and later told police that he was at the party.

According to a police report, the rape victim, 21, was assaulted by a 19-year-old male and both were among the guests attending the party, consuming Gatorade with alcohol and 99 Watermelons alcohol. 

The investigation began the night of the party in the early morning hours on July 5th. At the scene, police reported seeing people outside of the house, checking IDs, and towing a vehicle belonging to the rape suspect that contained a bottle of 99 Watermelons but not release any additional details about the assault investigation.

The elder Gammons reportedly created a Facebook event for the party, police said, and the event also led to two separate larceny reports, including one party guest whose prescription Oxycontin and Oxycodone pills were stolen along with the backpack in which they were stored.

That person, who police noted was in a cast and using crutches, reported the theft the day after the party.

The other larceny report came from Connor Gammons, who called police at 9:42 a.m. on July 5 and asked for an officer to come to the house. He said his watch was stolen sometime after he went to sleep and it was valued at over $5,000.

When police went to follow up on the watch case, Gammons reportedly had hired a lawyer and no longer wished to speak to detectives.

As for the 17-year-old juvenile who was knocking on the door of the Bristol Ferry Road home, charges of driving under the influence and underage possession of alcohol were filed. That matter will be adjudicated in Family Court.

As a result of the multiple incidents at the house, police were able to obtain arrest warrants for both Gammons for violating the state's social host law and they were arrested on Wednesday at their house without incident.

Both were released on personal recognizance and are due to appear in Second Division District Court on July 17 for arraignment.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.