New Hampshire law enforcement officials say a gun was found in the hand of a 40-year-old man who was shot to death by a state trooper during a roadside encounter.
Officials have identified the man who was shot and killed as 40-year-old Walter Welch Jr.
Authorities say around 6:45 p.m. Saturday, police received a 911 call about an erratic driver in a white pickup truck on Route 101.
A state trooper spotted the vehicle 15 minutes later off Exit 6, southbound on Beede Road in Epping.
The trooper approached the stopped pickup truck, at which time "an encounter ensued" in which the trooper discharged his firearm, killing Welch Jr.
Welch, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
U.S. & World
The trooper, whose name is being withheld pending his interview, was placed on administrative leave according to protocol.
The exact circumstances surrounding the trooper's discharge of his weapon remain under active investigation.
Police say there is no known video footage of the incident because state police cruisers don’t have dash cams and troopers don’t have body cameras.
Any person who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Sgt. William Bright of the New Hampshire Police major crime unit at 603-271-3636.