ROCHESTER, NH – The police fatally shot a man in New Hampshire during a foot pursuit on Friday evening. The incident ensued after the suspect was grounded by a police dog and reportedly pulled out a weapon, according to the state’s chief prosecutor.
State Troopers fatally shot 36-year-old Joseph Russell while assisting officers from the Rochester Police Department in an extensive pursuit, as per Attorney General John Formella’s statement. The police were initially in search of Russell in relation to multiple vehicle thefts when they spotted him driving around the city, about 21 miles northwest of Portsmouth.
Police intercepting Russell led to him abandoning his vehicle and trying to escape on foot along Route 16. During this time, it was confirmed that Russell was armed, Formella added.
As the pursuit continued into a residential neighborhood, the officers and state troopers attempted to halt Russell multiple times. When these orders were ignored, a police K-9 was released, and he was successfully brought down. Officers witnessed Russell drawing a gun, leading two troopers to discharge their weapons. Russell was declared dead on the scene.
A subsequent autopsy validated that Russell’s death resulted from sustained multiple gunshot injuries. The Attorney General assured that the identities of the officers who used deadly force would be disclosed in the future after conclusive formal interviews with all parties involved have been conducted.
According to Formella, no officers or other individuals in the vicinity were injured during this incident.
An investigation into the shooting is currently taking place, undertaken by both the New Hampshire Department of Justice and New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit.