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NH AG: Use of Deadly Force Justified in Police-Involved Shooting

A witness said 38-year-old Douglas Health opened fire at officers after he crashed his vehicle

Following an investigation, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office said Thursday that the use of deadly force was justified in a police-involved shooting that left a suspect dead in Rochester after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

Thirty-eight-year-old Douglas Heath was wanted on several outstanding warrants, including one for trafficking narcotics and another for fleeing from Maine troopers. Authorities say he led them on a chase before he crashed in Rochester in August.

When Heath got out of his car, there were an exchange of gunfire and he died at the scene, according to officials.

In dash cam video released Thursday, Heath can be seen falling out of his vehicle holding a gun. He fires two shots in no apparent direction before four officers fired off 30 shots at him.

A gun was found next to Heath. No one else was hurt.

Two state police troopers and two Rochester officers were placed on leave after the shooting.

"I have determined that the use of deadly force against Douglas Heath by the four law enforcement officers was justified," Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said Thursday.

Witness Austin McKenzie recorded the fatal confrontation with his cellphone. He said that Heath fired at officers first, which resulted in them firing back in response.

"The guy rolled out of the car wielding a handgun and started firing off a couple of shots," McKenzie said after the shooting. "He was endangering lives of police officers."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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