Two Manchester Officers Shot; Active Search for Suspect

MANCHESTER, NH - Two Manchester police officers were shot early this morning and authorities are searching for the suspected shooter. Queen City police reported that the two separate shootings happened just after 2 a.m. on May 13, 2016. The armed and dangerous suspect is believed to be a a white man with long hair who was wearing a trench coat and a black backpack.

Despite press reports, there has been no arrest, according to Lt. Brian O'Keefe of the Manchester Police Department. Officials held a short press conference at around 5 a.m. outside of Catholic Medical Center. According to O'Keefe, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office has taken over the investigation into the shootings.

Several blocks were closed or traffic halted, looking for the suspect. West Side schools were also closed Friday due to the active search. A very heavy police activity in the Valley West Way and Bartlett Street area with cars being checked in the area, according to reports.

According to Jeffrey Hastings, of Frame of Mind Photography, who took this photo, the first shooting occurred in the area of Second and Ferry streets and then a second shooting occurred in the area of Putnam and Dubuque.

A shelter was opened at around 5:30 a.m. for the area around Wayne Street, Putnam Street, and Rimmon Street, to evacuate residents. The shelter closed, according to police, around 10:15 a.m.

"Multiple officers and investigators will remain on scene to continue processing the various scenes," O'Keefe said in a statement at around 10:20 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, issued a statement this morning, saying that the shootings reminded everyone that "our public safety officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe."

She added, "I extend my thoughts and prayers to the two Manchester Police officers who were shot in the line of duty, and to their families. I am grateful for their courageous service to the people of Manchester and to our state, and wish them a swift recovery."

Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, stated that she was "thankful" for the bravery and service of the police officers "who courageously put their lives on the line early this morning, as all of our public safety officers do every day, to protect their fellows citizens and to keep our communities and our state safe."

She added, "I have spoken with them both and am grateful that they are expected to recover. My thoughts are with them and their families, and I join all Granite Staters in wishing them a speedy and full recovery."

“This morning, like many of you, I awoke to shocking news concerning the shooting of two of Manchester’s finest," said U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH. "I deplore such violence, which sadly still pervades our society. I stand firmly behind Chief Nick Willard and the brave men and women of the Manchester Police Department, who stand between us and evil. My wife Morgan and I wish both of the officers a quick recovery. They and their families are in our prayers.”

The kickoff for the $1M Renovation of MPAL’s Michael Briggs Community Center Building on Hope groundbreaking has also been postponed until Monday.

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