New HampshireDepartment of JusticeOffice of the Attorney General

News Release

For Immediate Release
May 16, 2019

Contact:
Kate Spiner, Director of Communications
kate.spiner@doj.nh.gov | 603-573-6103

Peter Hinckley, Senior Assistant Attorney General
Peter.Hinckley@doj.nh.gov | (603) 657-4904

Final report issued regarding the legality of force used in an officer-involved shooting in Nashua on June 26, 2018

Concord, NH – On August 24, 2018, the Attorney General's Office issued a news release stating that based upon the investigation conducted, that Nashua Police Officer James Ciulla's shooting of Mr. Contreras was a legally justified use of deadly force. That news release also indicated that the Hillsborough County Attorney's Office brought criminal charges against Mr. Contreras in connection with his encounter with Officer Ciulla on June 26. Lastly, the news release indicated that when the legal proceedings against Mr. Contreras concluded, the Attorney General's Office would issue its full report on the investigation into Officer Ciulla's use of deadly force, with the associated findings and reasoning behind the determination made that his use of deadly force was legally justified. Those legal proceedings against Mr. Contreras recently concluded, permitting the issuance of a final report.

The report, which is attached, provides the full factual and legal bases for the determination previously made that the use of police deadly force against Mr. Contreras was legally justified.

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