Franklin officer-involved shooting leads to standoff, fire, and one death

FRANKLIN — An officer-involved shooting early this morning at a Franklin residence escalated into an armed standoff and a fire that left one man dead, according to a joint statement from state and local officials.

At 9:54 p.m. on Nov. 19, Franklin Police officers were called to 32 West Bow Street after a 911 caller reported her neighbor had tried to break through her door.

Upon arrival, officers found the door damaged by gunfire and evacuated the woman.

As officers attempted to contact the male neighbor, shots were fired from his apartment, leading to the armed standoff.

New Hampshire State Police SWAT Unit members were called in to assist.

Around 2:45 a.m., a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area due to escalating tensions.

Shortly before the order, officers observed black smoke and flames coming from the building and engaged with the suspect after seeing fire inside his apartment.

After an exchange of gunfire at about 3:01 a.m., the male ceased firing.

He was found near a rear window with gunshot wounds.

Efforts to save his life were hampered by the fire, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His identity has not been released pending notification of his family.

No officers were injured during the incident, and the public is not currently at risk.

The heavily damaged building’s fire origins are under investigation, with no evident connection to law enforcement actions.

Two State Police SWAT members discharged their weapons and have not been named in line with official protocols.

The investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing, with additional details to be provided after the autopsy scheduled for Nov. 21 and notification of the deceased’s next of kin.