Man Shot, Killed By NH State Police Trooper On Route 101

EPPING, NH -- A New Hampshire State Police trooper shot and killed a man during a confrontation in Epping Saturday night. Walter Welch, 40, died Saturday at about 7 p.m. on Route 101. The trooper was identified only as a male officer. He was placed on leave per police protocol.

The trooper encounter Welch after a witness reported Welch was driving his white pickup truck erratically on Route 101.

"A New Hampshire State Trooper saw the white pick-up truck stopped off Exit 6, southbound on Beede Road in Epping," New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said in a statement. "The Trooper approached the stopped pick-up truck and thereafter an encounter ensued. During the encounter the Trooper discharged his weapon ... A gun was found in Mr. Welch’s hand."

MacDonald added, "The exact circumstances surrounding the Trooper’s discharge of his weapon remain under active investigation ... There is no known video of the incident. State Police cruisers do not have video equipment and State Police officers do not have body cameras."

The trooper was not hurt.

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