This news release will be updated when more information is released.
Updated at 6:25 p.m. March 9
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces additional information concerning the officer-involved shooting in Rochester, New Hampshire on March 8, 2024.
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Mitchell Weinberg has conducted an autopsy on Joseph Russell, age 36, of Rochester. Dr. Weinberg determined that Mr. Russell’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was homicide. As used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, homicide is defined as the killing of one person by another.
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Mr. Russell is ongoing, and the identity of the troopers who used deadly force will be disclosed once formal interviews of all involved in the incident occur in the coming days. Further information will be provided at that time.
UPDATED 8:35 a.m. March 9
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces further information regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred Friday evening in Rochester, New Hampshire.
On March 7, 2024, Rochester Police officers were looking for Joseph Russell, age 36, in connection with multiple motor vehicle thefts.
On March 8, 2024, Rochester Police were notified that Russell was spotted driving in Rochester and intercepted him on Route 16 in the area of Gooseberry Circle. Police also learned that Russell had a firearm. Russell abandoned the vehicle he was driving and fled from police on foot into the Gooseberry Circle residential area.
Rochester Police and New Hampshire State Police entered the residential area and spotted Russell walking in between residences. When Russell spotted law enforcement, he fled again. Law enforcement pursued Russell, issuing several verbal commands to stop and surrender. When he did not comply, a State Police Trooper with a K-9 police dog released their K-9 partner to subdue Russell. When the K-9 brought Russell to the ground, law enforcement reported seeing Russell draw a firearm and two troopers fired bullets at Russell, who died at the scene.
No other private citizens and no law enforcement officers were physically injured during the incident, and there is no threat to the public. The investigation by the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit into the officer-involved shooting is ongoing. An autopsy for Russell is scheduled for March 9, 2024. Pursuant to protocol, the identity of the two troopers who fired at Russell will not be disclosed until formal interviews have occurred.
The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that members of the Attorney General’s Office are responding to a report of an officer-involved shooting that occurred this evening in a wooded area off Gooseberry Circle in Rochester, New Hampshire.
An adult male subject was fatally wounded. No officers have been physically injured. At this time, it appears all involved parties have been identified, and there is currently no known threat to the public.
The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain under active investigation.