Gunshot On Landing Road In Hampton Was Attempted Suicide

HAMPTON, NH — New Hampshire State Police are investigating why a driver nearly crashed a vehicle into other vehicles as well as a Hampton police cruiser before crashing and attempting to take their own life on Sunday.

Around 4:30 p.m., Hampton police attempted to stop an erratic driver on Route 101. The vehicle was driving west on the highway within the eastbound lanes of travel while nearly crashing into several vehicles.

"One of these vehicles included a fully-marked Hampton police car," according to Lt. John Hennessy of Troop A.

Police reversed direction and reported seeing the suspect's vehicle accelerate and drive onto Landing Road — while the roadway was heavily populated with beach traffic, he said.

"The actions of the driver were both dangerous and reckless, and Hampton police continued behind the suspect in an attempt to stop the driver," Hennessy said. "While the vehicle continued along Landing Road, the operator failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. As a result, the suspect vehicle left the paved portion of the roadway and became stuck in an adjacent marsh."

Police arrived after the crash and found the driver's door open, and saw a figure moving through the bushes. Not long after, a single gunshot was heard, Hennessey said.

"The driver appeared to have a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," he said. "No shots were discharged by police."

Police provided emergency medical aid to the suspect and they were taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. The suspect remains hospitalized and is in critical condition. The incident remains under investigation and the identity of the suspect is being withheld pending family notification.

Anyone with information pertaining to this event is encouraged to contact Det. Sgt. John Kelly, via email, at johs.s.kelly@dos.nh.gov.

A free, 24/7 confidential service is available that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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