A desperate gunman turned rural New Hampshire woods into a deadly trap, shooting at family and police before troopers ended the threat in a hail of return fire just hours later.
Story Snapshot
- Matthew J. Massie, 38, fired a high-powered rifle at family members on Ham Road in Raymond, NH, on April 4, 2026, sparking chaos.
- He wounded a Nottingham officer with serious injuries, then fled into woods, prompting a massive manhunt and shelter-in-place.
- Tactical teams cornered him around 10 PM; Massie shot first, troopers responded, killing him on the spot.
- Prior suspicious fire at his family home two days earlier linked him to felony warrants, hinting at escalating danger.
- Autopsy and motive investigations continue, underscoring swift police action in high-risk rural pursuits.
Timeline of the Deadly Confrontation
Matthew J. Massie triggered the incident at 1:30 PM on April 4, 2026, when his mother reported him shooting a high-powered rifle at family on Ham Road in Raymond, New Hampshire. No family members suffered injuries. Raymond Police Department responded immediately. Massie, already wanted on felony warrants from a suspicious fire at his mother’s home two days prior on April 2, escalated the threat dramatically.
Officers arrived to Massie firing at them, striking a Nottingham Police Department officer with serious but non-life-threatening wounds. The officer reached the hospital by ambulance. Massie, described as a 5’11”, 202-pound white male with black hair and hazel eyes, fled on foot into nearby woods, armed with a long gun. Authorities established a perimeter around Ham and Nottingham roads.
Manhunt Locks Down Rural Community
New Hampshire State Police, Raymond PD, and other agencies launched a coordinated manhunt. A shelter-in-place order forced residents to take cover, with NH 911 broadcasting warnings. Multiple roads, including Route 156, closed to aid the search. The wooded terrain in Rockingham County’s rural setting allowed Massie temporary evasion, heightening tension for hours.
Major Brendan Davey of NH State Police briefed media on the suspect’s details and officer’s condition during a Saturday press conference. Raymond Police Chief Michael Labell confirmed prior awareness of Massie from the April 2 fire investigation. Multi-agency efforts emphasized public safety amid the armed threat.
Fatal Shootout Ends the Pursuit
Around 10:00 PM, state and local tactical teams located Massie in the woods. They moved to take him into custody. Massie fired at the troopers first. Law enforcement returned fire, striking him fatally. A long gun lay recovered beside his body. State Police confirmed he ceased activity immediately after.
By early April 5, authorities verified Massie’s death. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office launched a standard investigation into the troopers’ use of force. An autopsy scheduled early that week would confirm the cause of death. Motive remained under probe, with no clear links yet to the prior fire.
Impacts on Officers, Families, and Community
The injured Nottingham officer underwent treatment for wounds that spared his life, a testament to body armor and quick medical response. Massie’s family endured terror as initial targets but escaped harm; his mother provided key details to police. Raymond and Nottingham residents faced brief disruption from the lockdown, now lifted with roads reopened.
Broader effects rippled through New Hampshire law enforcement. The rapid domestic dispute-to-active shooter escalation highlights vulnerabilities in rural responses. Common sense dictates praising troopers’ restraint until Massie fired first—backing the thin blue line that protects communities without hesitation. Potential training reviews may follow the AG probe, reinforcing officer safety protocols.
Sources:
NHPR: Police officer shot, armed suspect at large in Raymond
