Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, and Franklin Police Chief David B. Goldstein announce further information regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred early this morning at a residence in Franklin, New Hampshire.

At approximately 9:54 PM on November 19, 2023, Franklin Police officers were dispatched to an apartment building at 32 West Bow Street in Franklin. The 911 caller reported that she was physically unharmed, but was inside her apartment when her adult male neighbor across the hall tried to smash through her front door. Responding officers saw her door had been shot at with a firearm. Officers evacuated her and tried to make contact with the adult male across the hall. Officers heard gunshots coming from inside the male’s residence and an armed standoff ensued, during which members of the New Hampshire State Police SWAT Unit responded to assist.

That disturbance triggered a shelter-in-place order at approximately 2:45 AM for residents in the area of Central and West Bow Streets in Franklin overnight. That order has since been lifted. Initial reports indicate that officers saw black smoke coming from the windows and eaves of the building around 2:35 AM. At approximately 3:01 AM, officers could see fire inside the building when the adult male exchanged multiple gunshots with troopers. The male stopped firing and was located just outside the residence near a rear first-floor window after suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Life saving measures were later attempted, but the severity of the fire prevented officers from being able to get to the male to provide immediate medical aid. The male was pronounced deceased on the scene. The identity of that individual is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be scheduled by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

No law enforcement officers have been physically injured and there is no threat to the public at this time. The building suffered severe damage from the fire. The origin and cause of how the fire began inside the home is currently under investigation by the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office. At this time, there are no apparent indications that the fire was caused by any law enforcement action.

Two members of the New Hampshire State Police SWAT Unit discharged firearms as part of this incident. Pursuant to protocol, the names of the two troopers involved are being withheld pending the conclusion of formal interviews.

The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation. Further information will be released as it becomes available regarding the adult male’s identity and cause and manner of death following notification of his next of kin, and the conclusion of the autopsy.