By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org
Eric Rexford’s jealousy, anger, and heavy drug use exploded into the high-speed car chase that ended with his death, according to the report released Thursday by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.
Rexford, 38, was shot eight times by Shane Miller, 44, on the night of Sept. 16, 2024, after Rexford initiated a violent car chase through Littleton. Miller called 911 as he was being pursued by Rexford, saying he would be forced to use his pistol if police did not get to them in time.
“I’ve got a flat tire, this motherfucker keeps ramming me, and I’m about to shoot him in his fuckin’ face,” Miller told the 911 operator.
Miller and Rexford grew up together, and saw each other frequently, but they were not friends. Rexford’s volatile personality often flared into anger at Miller. Rexford often accused Miller of being a racist, though the report does not state what Miller said or did to earn that accusation. Miller is white, and Rexford was black.
“Mr. Miller believed Mr. Rexford always ‘had a chip against his shoulder against me for no fucking reason,’” the Attorney General’s report states.
Rexford was taking medication for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and he also used methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. The autopsy results from the shooting show those drugs in Rexford’s system, as well as Rexford having a .16 percent blood alcohol content which is twice the legal limit to drive.
The evening of the shooting, Miller stopped at the home of friend Brian Moodie for a beer after work. While at Moodie’s house, Rexford and his girlfriend, Sarah Nyce, arrived. Moodie was mutual friends with Rexford and Miller, and the pair had recently helped Moodie repair his car. Rexford began accusing Miller of having an affair with Nyce, something Miller denied.
Witness Nikki Alloway told investigators Rexford and Nyce frequently fought, and witness Jacob Newell told investigators Rexford often tried to pick fights with other people over women.
Miller left Moodie’s house soon after Rexford accused him of cheating with Nyce, telling investigators he wanted to avoid Rexford’s “drama.” Miller stopped at a convenience store for beer and cigarettes when Rexford called him on his cell phone. They continued to argue about Nyce, and Rexford told Miller he would be waiting for him at his house.
Miller planned to see if Rexford really was at his house, and stay with his sister if Rexford was there rather than risk a confrontation. When he pulled his SUV out of the convenience store parking lot, Rexford’s Subaru Impreza was behind him.
Rexford rammed Miller’s car, starting the chase through town. Newell, who was Rexford’s passenger before and during the chase, told investigators Rexford had ranted about wanting to beat up Miller before he saw Miller’s car.
Rexford and Miller drive 50 to 60 miles per hour at times during the chase, with Rexford driving on lawns and in the opposite lane of traffic in order to keep pace with Miller and ram his car, Newell said, “playing bumper cars.”
Rexford managed to pop one of Miller’s back tires with his ramming before he finally pinned Miller’s car against a sidewalk. Rexford got out and started walking toward Miller, who then got out of his car and opened fire with a .22 caliber SigSauer pistol. Miller fired 10 rounds, emptying his gun’s magazine.
The 911 operator Miller was talking to during the car chase heard the final car crash and then the 10 gun shots. The audio was recorded.
“Mr. Miller was heard cursing, yelled ‘You done motherfucka’?!’ numerous times, and then ‘Tried to kill me, motherfucka’?!.’ He also is heard saying that ‘I didn’t want to kill you!’ At the very end of the recording, Mr. Miller is heard saying, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t fuckin’ mean that.’”
The Attorney General’s report states Miller’s shooting was justifiable self-defense, as Miller reasonably believed Rexford was going to continue his violence as he approached. Further, there is no sufficient evidence to disprove Miller did not act in self defense, the report states.