AG: Police-Involved Death of Suspect Who Shot Officer Investigated After Late-Night Shootout
Police gathered in Raymond earlier Saturday after report of a man shooting at his family and police. JEFFREY HASTINGS photo
RAYMOND – A shootout late Saturday night ended when suspect Matthew J. Masse, 38, was found dead after exchanging gunfire with police who were trying to take him into custody after he shot a Nottingham police officer earlier in the day, according to a news release from Attorney General John Formella.
“Following a search that necessitated issuing a shelter-in-place order for the safety of nearby residents, officers made contact with Mr. Masse at a wooded area around 10:06 p.m. Saturday, where they attempted to take him into custody.
“There was an exchange of gunfire between Mr. Masse with his rifle and the officers. Following that exchange, Mr. Masse was found deceased by officers when they approached his location,” the release said.
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The attorney general’s office is conducting an officer-involved shooting investigation related to Masse’s death Saturday night.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday police officers responded to an address on Ham Road in Raymond for a report that Masse had fired a long gun at family members.
As previously reported by other law enforcement agencies, Masse also fired his rifle at responding police officers, striking and wounding an officer with the Nottingham Police Department, and causing non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Masse then fled the scene into a wooded area. The Nottingham officer’s name hasn’t been released.
An autopsy is scheduled for early this week to determine Mr. Masse’s cause and manner of death.
The Nottingham police officer who was struck and wounded is currently being treated for his injuries, and no other law enforcement officers or private citizens were physically injured during the incidents, according to the news release.
“There is no further threat to the public at this time. Pursuant to protocol, the names of the officers involved in the exchange of gunfire with Mr. Masse are being withheld pending the conclusion of formal interviews,” the release said.
Investigators are currently assessing which responding agencies/officers have any police body camera or cruiser camera footage of any portion of Satuday’s incident.
It is expected that additional information will be released after the autopsy. The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation, police said.
