UPDATE, 6 A.M.: New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney announced this morning that the alleged gunman in Thursday night's shooting was found dead in his home along with another woman early this morning. For the full story, click here.
UPDATE, 1 A.M.: Gov. John Lynch directs flags to half-staff. He issues statement after midnight that reads, in part:
"I ask the people of New Hampshire to join me in honoring the sacrifice of Chief Maloney, and supporting his family at this time. Our deepest condolences also go out to the Greenland Police Department and the entire community.
We are also praying for the recovery of Officers Eric Kulberg of the University of New Hampshire Police Department, Scott Kukesh of Newmarket, Greg Turner of Dover and Jeremiah Murphy of Rochester, who were wounded during this incident."
UPDATE, 12:40 A.M.: The New Hampshire Attorney General's Office has released the names of the other officers wounded in Thursday's incident in Greenland, according to multiple reports.
Detective Scott Kukesh, of the Newmarket Police Department, and Detective Jeremiah Murphy, of the Rochester Police Department, were both shot in the chest and were in intensive care.
Detective Gregory Turner, of the Dover Police Department, and Detective Eric Kulberg, a Winnacunnet High School graduate and a member of the University of New Hampshire Police Department, were both treated for their gunshot-related injuries and released from the hospital, according to multiple reports.
UPDATE, 10:15 P.M.: Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney has died of gunshot wounds sustained in tonight's incident in Greenland, Selectmen Chairman John Penacho confirmed tonight.
"We're stunned," Penacho said. "It was a blow to all of us."
Maloney, 48, headed a small police department of seven officers, including himself. Penacho said he wasn't surprised that Maloney, who had once also served in the North Hampton Police Department, went out on tonight's drug investigation.
"He was a working police chief," he said. "(He did) traffic stops, or whatever was needed."
Penacho said Maloney was married and had several children.
UPDATE, 10 P.M.: Attorney General Michael Delaney confirmed at a press conference minutes ago that five police officers were shot tonight in Greenland, and one of them has died.
Delaney, in a press conference at Greenland Town Hall, said law enforcement responded to 517 Post Road around 6 p.m. and were conducting a drug investigation. They entered the home and encountered an armed subject who shot rounds at them.
He said there was no more information he could provide, because authorities are still dealing with "an active armed standoff at a home." A man and a woman are reportedly barricaded inside the home at this hour.
"I do want to extend my thoughts and prayers to the family and relatives and loved ones of the police officer who has been killed and the four police officers who have been injured," Delaney said.
He said the names of the officers who were shot are not being released pending notification of relatives and loved ones.
Delaney would not answer specific questions about the investigation, but said another update will be provided at 6 a.m. Friday.
Deputy House Speaker Pam Tucker, who represents Greenland, said her town is in shock.
"We're just trying to stay together," she said. "As you know, it's still an active standoff, so we're all hanging tough."
An earlier story follows:
Multiple police officers were reportedly shot early this evening as law enforcement agencies have surrounded a house in Greenland.
WMUR is now reporting that one of the officers shot was Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney, who was set to retire later this month. His condition is not known at this time. A law enforcement source said four other officers were also shot, two of whom are now in critical condition.
The incident was first reported around 6:50 p.m. at 517 Post Road. The officers were reportedly at the home to serve a search warrant. Initial reports were that anywhere from two to five police officers had been shot, and that a male suspect had barricaded himself inside the home with a high-powered rifle.
It isn't clear if anyone other than the police officers might have been shot, although one witness at the scene said they saw a woman who was not a police officer who had been shot.
According to Greenland assessment records, the home at 517 Post Road is owned by the Beverly P. Mutrie Trust. The 1-1/2 story building is valued at $280,000.
A man listed as living at that address, Cullen Mutrie, 29, was charged last year with nine felony counts alleging he was in possession of anabolic steroids, according to Seacoastonline. The website also reported that Mutrie had previously been barred from possessing firearms after he was arrested for assaulting a woman. Mutrie is a former Hampton Falls firefighter, the Union Leader is reporting.
Stratham resident Susan Whitter was in the area as the police cruisers began flying to the scene.
"Police officers from Newmarket, Exeter, Stratham, Newfields. They were just calling them in left and right," Whitter said. "Just a barrage of activity. I mean flying to the scene and I came out here and saw this. Just utterly amazing in a small town like this."
SWAT teams and police from Exeter, Hampton, Portsmouth and other area departments are all at the scene. All officers are reportedly down behind cover.
Post Road has been closed to vehicle traffic between Winnicut Road and Portsmouth Avenue.
A helicopter is flying overhead, and the area near the house is evacuated, save for a home across the street, but the person in that residence is safe and secure, according to police.
That person apparently witnessed the shooting, bystanders are saying.
Tyler Bryant, 18, of Portsmouth, said a friend of his was on his way home and saw the whole incident happen. His friend was Tweeting details about the incident before police escorted him from his house, which is located near the scene.
Gov. John Lynch issued a statement about the shooting incident, saying he has been monitoring the situation from the Emergency Operations Center in Concord, keeping in close contact with law enforcement officials. The governor is reportedly on his way to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where the wounded officers were taken.
"This is a tragic incident, and my thoughts and prayers are with the officers involved and their families," Lynch said.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also issued a statement, saying, "All of our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the officer killed and with the officers wounded, their families, and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy."
Seacoast Online reported that Maloney's retirement was accepted by the Greenland Board of Selectmen March 26. They reported Maloney originally joined the department in 2000 and spent 26 years in law enforcement before his retirement. Maloney's last day on the job had been scheduled for April 20.
Debra Woodward
1:18 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
What a sad and horrible night.
Dan Tuohy
1:23 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Gov. Lynch directs state flags to half-staff, says, "My thoughts and prayers and those of my wife, Susan, are with the family of Chief Michael Maloney. Chief Maloney's unwavering courage and commitment to protecting others serves as an example to us all."
Carl
1:26 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
unbelievable the lack of value some people place onhuman life, don't they realize we have to answer to a much higher entity at the end.
laura
5:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is just sickening! These officers in America risk their lives to keep citizens safe, this is so sad I am so mad about this! Everyone should show gratitude for these men and women that patrol the streets.
Ronnette0518
5:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
My prayers go out to the officers and their families. May God continue to protect and comfort them in their time of sadness.
Terry Reno
10:04 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Thank you, you took the words out of my mouth.............Thank you again Ronnetee0518
Barbara J Miller
5:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
My prayers and blessings to the wounded police officers and My deepest sympathy to the family of the Police Chief.
Susan J Deren
5:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
My thoughts go out to all the Officers and their familys.
h
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
such heart ache for the the families,,, may the police chief rest in peace,, i just lost my mother last night so i know how everyone feels , may you all try to heal with comfort
Leonard thomas
9:00 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
My prayers include your mother.
I extend my condolences, h.
Amber Glidden
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I can't believe this is happening so close to our home and where our children go to school, extremely tragic
Richard Krenzer
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
My Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Victim's Family and Friend's and Pray that the other Officer's will be okay and recover quickly....God Bless..
Jane Lang
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Sadden by this tragedy..Thoughts and prayers go out to the Police Officers and their families.
Martha Thomas
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is surreal. Prayers for the famines. It affects us all. A sad day for NH.
Martha Thomas
7:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Sorry I meant families Not famines
Carol D Taege
7:50 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is one tragedy, that seems like a nightmare. As a former wife of a NJ Sheriff's Officer, my heart goes out to all the families and especially to Chief Maloney's family.
May God's Peace be with you all. Also that the critical officers will recover from their wounds quickly. God Bless......
amerika madd
8:39 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
this is so sad our poilce department In our firedeparment plus our miltary they due not get paid enoght for what they due they put there life on the line to save us my condolence goes to al our fallen heroes in our one got injuerd this make me sad ill say it again my heart imprayers go to all the famliy that has lost loves one & the has got insured any way they need to putthose low life scums peace of crap in preison put them to death they killed some they should get the death pently the low life scum help out heroes in our fallen herores
Happy Go Lucky
8:50 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
You know that retirement thing... that many of you think police get too much of. When was the last time you took a bullet at work?
Leonard thomas
8:57 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Illegal drugs, including marijuana, are stifiling and killing our society, literally.
My prayers go out for these honorable police officers hurt and killed.
May the suspects be prosecuted to the very extent of the law.
-Paul-
12:19 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
Actually, Leonard, it's prohibition that's stifles and kills.
When alcohol was prohibited, it was the same story. Now alcohol's produced in safe facilities, not basement stills, distributed by truck drivers, not gangsters and cartels, and sold in stores, not by pushers on street corners.
If orange juice were prohibited tomorrow, we'd see the same black markets, violence, gangs, cartels, etc.
My prayers and thoughts go out to everyone. These people should be enjoying the sun this morning, rather than hurt or killed -- not to mention all the families of those involved. They would all be alive, if it were not for the ongoing extremely deadly and extremely costly "war on drugs".
The suspects you speak of are dead, anyhow.
Lynn Tincher
9:25 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Prayers out the the officers and familys involved. Now for the safe end for the officers involved. The neighbor hood has been evacuated, the thugs wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, torch the house and let them have it their way!!!
Frank Abramovitz
9:28 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
F.Abramovitz AMK
As a Bail Fugitive Recovery Agent here in the NH area , I know what the officers are up against when they go to serve a warrant on a fugitive My prayers and blessings to the wounded police officers and My deepest sympathy to the family of Chief Michael Maloney
Micki Bixon
9:42 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
we live in Fl. and have lost several officers in the past year. Our Prayers go out to the families. God Bless you all, and thank you for serveing the people.
StC Don
9:49 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is very sad that these fine officers were injured and one killed trying to get the scum off the streets. It is also sad how they and our military ground troops are so un derpaid for risking their lives while politicians who maybe risk a paper cut are paid far more in retirement than the troops , police and fire personell make working !
On a side note.. weren't the police wearing their vests ?? They knew this scumbag was dangerous.
mike
10:04 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Vests don't stop high powered rifles
StC Don
10:20 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
The old vests did not stop high powered rifles, there are new ones that do.
Mark Z
10:24 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Mike,
Knight Body Armor (which is the standard) DOES stop High powered rifles. Know what you are talking about before you post.
StC Don
10:24 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
This company has vests that will stop an armor piercing rifle bullet.
http://www.safeguardarmor.com/body-armor-levels/
mike
1:37 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
My vests and the vests all the officers in my department stop up to a 45 cal. First Choice armor is what a majority officers have. They do not stop high cal rifle rounds. I do know what I am talking about because I have been wearing one and doing this for 14 years. You do know there are differents types of vests and levels of vests right?
mike
1:53 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
This is a small department that does not have a tactical team. They probably did not have access to level IV vests which only tactical teams wear during high risk raids. Regular officer in all department do not wear level IV because they are too big and heavy to wear on a daily basis.
My heart goes out to the chief, his family and the department.
Duane
8:29 am on Saturday, April 14, 2012
StC Don, please tell me the last time you heard of a vest stopping a bullet to the face! Or even from a bullet entering the body through the armpit? Yes they were wearing vests! There were all experienced officers. This is why the job is referred to as "dangerous".
Wise One
9:51 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Blessings to the families, these folks take an oath. No one made them become police. That is a job I would never want. This could have happened in any profession............
Debra Woodward
9:58 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
For those of you who wanted to torch the house with the killer in it or make this political, that is really not a tribute to the officers who were trying to uphold the LAW and make an arrest. Thank you to all the area officers and sympathies to them as well as to the loved ones of the officers who were victims of this senseless tragedy. Here's hoping that those two officers pull through.
Thomas
10:05 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
After reading through this poorly written article I was finally able to discover that Greenland was in New Hampshire.
IamM
1:20 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
They didn't state it was in NH because this is The Patch for Hampton, NH. Everyone else knew where they were talking about because they know what website they're looking at. Nice job insulting the reporters who dragged their asses to Greenland all night to cover this horrifying incident though.
Debra Woodward
10:26 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
I think the difference here is that he died trying to keep us and our neighborhood safe.
-Forever Young-
3:34 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
@-Paul- This scum bag was a murderer though! He killed a man trying to keep our state and country safe! My dad works at the hospital and had to work with the Officers last night. He is one of the toughest, sternest men ever, but he couldn't even stand to look at Chief Manoley's body. It's not a BS crime. Steroids are BAD and are illegal for a reason.
Me4president
10:46 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
When are people going to realize that the "war on drugs" was lost when it started, and stop sacrificing good cops and money to a lost cause? If I were President I would campaign to make drug use legal, and tax it (even better, GIVE them away to all the sorry-butt users so they can overdose and kill themselves)! This would totally destroy the Latin-American drug gangs and the rest of the criminals who profit from the sick dependence of so many weak-minded U.S. drug users, reduce crime in the U.S., and help our own economy by keeping our money here.
StC Don
12:17 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
I agree ! This is similar to Prohibition in the 20's, it didn't work either, the criminals made huge profits on the Illegal booze. They made booze lagal and the criminals lost that huge source of money. Make drugs legal, affordable and taxed, that will do more good than trying to jail the drug cartels.
Judy Martin
12:17 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
you have the right idea for sure. Legalize it.
Exeter Tax Burden
12:17 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
I don't think all of the facts are in yet.
Gerry Blais
12:17 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
its an extremely tragic situation.My utmost respect and thoughts to the officers involved directly and indirectly,as well as prayers to the Chief and family.
KG-Texas
12:19 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
God bless the peacemakers!
Any of you that participate in illegal drug use can claim some responsibility in the deaths of law enforcement officers and of supporting terrorists, both foreign and domestic! It's time we stop the inflow of drugs and outflow of cash.....
-Paul-
2:44 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
On the contrary, it's those who advocate the continuation of the war on drugs who should recognize their partial responsibility for these deaths, and in supporting gangsters, cartels, etc.
During prohibition, the alcohol trade was run by violent people as well. Now, since prohibition has been repealed, it's produced in factories, not basement stills, distributed by truck drivers, not gangsters, and sold in stores, not on street corners by pushers.
If drug prohibition were repealed, the gangsters would be out of a job and out of cash.
The cause of this violence is not inherent to drugs. If you were to prohibit orange juice, orange juice would also be sold and distrubted on the black market, by gangsters -- violence would increase, and more deaths like these would ensue.
Imagining that banning drugs will eliminate all drug use is about as reasonable as imagining that banning guns will eliminate all guns. It doesn't -- it just hands control over to criminals.
Even apart from that, on a basic moral level, it's wrong for you or I to threaten force and harm against people simply because they injest something into their body that we don't approve of. Social intervention, offers of medical treatment, and perhaps counseling is a much more appropriate response.
Leonard thomas
8:46 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
The modern tactical team is taught to follow an armored "pont man" into the home, and forcefully effect their mission. You are on the "perp's" turf, and he can do what he desires to resist the SWAT team.
Why?
Once the house is surrounded, cut the power, water, and settle in with catered food, sleeping in shifts, just stay back and out of sight. Let him know he is surrounded, and call the home telephone to negotiate his surrender.
It's just like fishing. Give him a number to call when he wants to surrender. Call in the National Guard, if necessary, but wait.
Nobody, even the "perp" gets hurt this way.