New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
December 23, 2017

Contact:
Jeffery A. Strelzin, Senior Assistant Attorney General
Chief – Homicide Unit
jeffery.strelzin@doj.nh.gov
(603) 931-9060

Officer Involved Shooting Incident in Canaan, New Hampshire

Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Christopher J. Wagner and Canaan Police Chief Sam Frank announce that at approximately 6:27 p.m. tonight there was an officer-involved shooting incident in a field located at the junction of Route 4 and Switch Road in Canaan, New Hampshire. A New Hampshire State Trooper discharged his firearm during the incident fatally wounding an adult male. That male's identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of his next of kin. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy tomorrow to determine the exact cause and manner of his death.

This incident is being investigated by the Attorney General's Office in conjunction with the State Police Major Crime Unit. Pursuant to protocol, the name of the trooper involved in the incident is being withheld pending the trooper's formal interview. The interview is expected to take place early next week. Further, pursuant to protocol, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave.

This is an unfolding investigation and additional information will be provided as soon as possible while still protecting the integrity of the investigation.

New Hampshire Department of Justice
1 Granite Place South | Concord, NH | 03301
Telephone: 603-271-3658