NH Fugitive Shoots At Officers By Rochester Walmart: Cops

ROCHESTER, NH — A New Hampshire fugitive was arrested Monday morning after police said he pulled out a rifle in the parking lot of the Rochester Walmart then shot at officers during a standoff that lasted nearly 24 hours. Christopher Thomas, 27, surrendered Monday at 10:20 a.m. and faces a host of charges, police said, adding no one was hurt. Police said the ordeal started Sunday at about noon when witnesses said they saw Thomas pull out a rifle in the parking lot of the Walmart. Thomas had been wanted on a half-dozen warrants for threatening and theft,

Police said Thomas disappeared into the woods then fired at officers.

"Rochester Police and members of the SWAT teams then established a perimeter around his location, ultimately allowing them to take (Thomas) into custody this morning," Rochester Police Chief Paul Toussaint said in a statement.

Thomas was charged with four counts of felony reckless conduct.

The Walmart store and surrounding businesses were evacuated as the standoff dragged on. The area was reopened Monday.

"We appreciate community members’ patience as we located the suspect and resolved this situation," Toussaint added. "This was a true collaborative effort between the Rochester Police Department, Strafford County and Seacoast CERT SWAT teams, the New Hampshire and Maine State Police, and the Manchester Police Department."

Photo credit: Rochester, New Hampshire, Police Department