Man ‘Displayed Firearm’ During Encounter With Belmont Officer: Report

BELMONT, NH — Investigators are reporting that a man who was shot and killed during an officer involved shooting reportedly displayed a firearm during an encounter with the officer, according to a report. At just before 3 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2017, a Belmont Police officer pulled into the Irving gas station on Plummer Hill Road and recognized the man, Joseph Mazzitelli, 46, of Belmont, as possibly having outstanding warrants. The officer requested that dispatch check to see if the warrants were active and it was confirmed.

“An encounter ensued, during which Mr. Mazzitelli displayed a firearm,” according to assistant attorney general Jason Casey of the NH AG’s Office. “The officer discharged his weapon. The incident took place next to a car Mr. Mazzitelli had driven to the gas station. It was parked adjacent to a gas pump.” (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Concord NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Mazzitelli was transported to Lakes Regional Hospital in Laconia where he later died. An autopsy will be performed on Monday.

Listen to the audio below:

Casey said that 11 witnesses were at the scene of the incident and the gas station also has surveillance cameras. Neither the officer nor his cruiser had cameras. Neither the officer nor any members of the public were hurt during the incident. The officer was evaluated at the hospital and then released.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the officer’s discharge of his weapon remain actively under investigation,” Casey said. “Pursuant to protocol, the name of the officer involved in the incident is being withheld pending the officer’s formal interview. That interview is expected to take place early next week. Further, pursuant to protocol, the officer has been placed on administrative leave.”

According to online reports, Mazzitelli was no stranger to police. Back in January 2016, he was arrested for burglary and trespassing around homes in Belmont and reportedly entered one through a garage, according to WMUR-TV. An off-duty officer spotted him – after seeing snowy footprints – and he was arrested. He was convicted and given suspended jail time later that year. Two years before, he was also convicted of criminal mischief with suspended jail time, according to WMUR-TV.

In mid-July of this year, he was arrested for attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault in Gilmanton after allegedly taking a 23-year-old woman for a ride on his motorcycle, stopping, and then, allegedly ripping her swim bottoms off and attacking her, according to the Laconia Daily Sun. He was indicted earlier this month on attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault, simple assault, and five counts of sexual assault, the Union Leader noted online.

Anyone with information regarding this incident, or anyone who had contact with Mazzitelli earlier today should contact Justin Rowe of the New Hampshire State Police at 603-223-8849 or the New Hampshire State Police Headquarters at 603-223-4381.

Police file photo.