MANCHESTER — An officer-involved shooting in Manchester resulted in the death of a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery, and a police K9 was injured during the pursuit, according to New Hampshire law enforcement officials.
Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark B.
Hall provided an update on the investigation involving Jake Chiaradonna, born May 30, 1988, who was identified as the suspect in a robbery on January 11.
Authorities had been on the lookout for Chiaradonna and, at around 9:30 a.m. on January 12, officers responded to Pine St. and Plummer St. upon sighting a suspicious male.
The man, later confirmed to be Chiaradonna, was found hiding inside a stolen vehicle and failed to comply with officers’ orders to exit.
When less-lethal force proved ineffective, a police K9 was deployed.
Chiaradonna stabbed the K9 with a screwdriver and then fled.
After assaulting the K9 a second time, Chiaradonna was confronted by officers at the side of a building where the incident escalated, leading to an officer firing at him.
Chiaradonna was hit by the gunfire and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead hours later.
An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, January 14.
The K9 was treated for its injuries and has since been released from veterinary care.
No officers were physically harmed, and officials report no further threat to the public.
The New Hampshire Department of Justice and the New Hampshire State Police Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation into the shooting.
The name of the officer who used deadly force will be withheld until after a formal interview, which is slated to occur next week.
Further details will be disclosed following the interview.
