Update:
Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall, and Somersworth Police Chief Timothy McLin announce further information on yesterday’s shooting in Somersworth, New Hampshire, that resulted in one individual being killed and a second individual suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
At approximately 7:22 P.M. on Monday, December 30, 2024, 911 dispatchers received a call for police and emergency medical services to a reported shooting outside an apartment building at 97 High Street in Somersworth. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, later identified as Jeffrey Prouty (age 36) suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. Upon entering the building, officers located a second male, age 31, suffering from what appeared to be non-gunshot wounds in a common hallway. Both men were transported to a local hospital where Mr. Prouty was later pronounced deceased, and the 31-year-old male was briefly hospitalized for medical treatment. This second male has since been released from the hospital.
The exact circumstances surrounding this incident are being investigated by the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit with the assistance of the Somersworth Police Department. Evidence revealed to date show that both men were involved in a verbal argument immediately prior to the shooting, and the investigation currently includes determining whether the person who shot Mr. Prouty acted in self-defense. An autopsy conducted earlier today in Concord by New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Jennie V. Duval revealed that Mr. Prouty’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest, and the manner of his death was homicide.
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance. Several witnesses were present during the argument between the two men moments before the shooting, but then left the area without speaking with responding officers. Investigators are asking any and all individuals who saw the event but have not yet spoken with police to call the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit at (603) 223-3856 or send an email to MCU@dos.nh.gov. People may also call the Somersworth Police Department at (603) 692-3131.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation.
UPDATE: Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B. Hall, and Somersworth Police Chief Timothy McLin announce an update on the investigation into a suspicious death reported Monday evening in Somersworth, New Hampshire.
Investigators have identified a deceased adult male found suffering from gunshot wounds outside an apartment building at 97 High Street, as well as a second adult male who was found injured from what appear to be non-fatal, non-gunshot wounds inside a common hallway. Investigators have learned that there are several witnesses who may have seen or heard an argument between the two men moments before the shooting but left the area without speaking with responding officers. At this time, the parties directly involved in the incident have been identified, and there is no known threat to the general public.
Investigators are asking any individuals who saw the event but have not yet spoken with police to contact the Somersworth Police Department at 603-692-3131.
The identity of the deceased male will not be released until next of kin have been notified, and an autopsy is anticipated to take place at 9:00 A.M. on December 31, 2024.
The exact circumstances surrounding this incident remain actively under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available without impacting the integrity of the investigation.
