Shooter kills one at New Hampshire Hospital; suspect killed by police

This story was updated on Friday, Nov. 17, at 10:08 p.m. to include more details from New Hampshire State Police. 

The state police have identified the victim killed in a shooting at New Hampshire Hospital Friday afternoon as former Franklin Police Chief Bradley Haas, 63. Haas retired as chief in 2008 after serving 28 years with the department. He was working as a security officer at the hospital.

The police have not yet identified the shooter, who opened fire in the hospital’s front lobby around 3:30 p.m., according to New Hampshire State Police. Autopsies are scheduled for Saturday.

Former Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield remembered Haas, who still lived in the city, fondly Friday night.

“Brad helped the city and the department through a difficult time in our history,” he said in a text. “We will always be grateful. Franklin and the State of NH will remember him with great pride, and extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

The suspect was immediately shot and killed by a New Hampshire State Police trooper on duty at the hospital, police said. The trooper’s name has not been released.

The police shared no new details about the shooting, including why the shooter was at the hospital, in a press release late Friday night. They are expected to share more information at a press briefing Saturday morning.

The shooting was contained to the hospital lobby, Col. Mark Hall of the New Hampshire State Police said at a press conference. Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Weaver said all patients and hospital staff were safe.

“There is no active shooter threat to the public,” Hall said. “The scene remains active as one suspicious vehicle has been located.”

The victim was given CPR and transported to Concord Hospital but died of his injuries, Hall said.

As of 6:30, the police were investigating the identity of the shooter, according to Hall. The State Police had also examined a suspicious vehicle left near the hospital, Hall said, but he added that there is no threat to the public.

New Hampshire Hospital is a psychiatric facility where on Friday 148 beds were occupied by people admitted involuntarily.

In a statement to reporters, Weaver said the Department of Health and Human Services was “shocked and saddened” by the shooting.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the victim as well as our colleagues who have been impacted,” Weaver said. “We have established a call center for families wishing to reach out to their loved ones and we’ll be releasing that number shortly.”

That number is (603) 271-3004.

Weaver said the department and hospital staff were providing support to patients and staff.

The hospital is temporarily closed to visitors, but will still be providing care to its patients, Weaver said. The hospital will notify families when visitations can resume, she added.

“This is a difficult and unimaginable day for our employees and for our community,” Weaver said. “We will continue to make resources available in the coming hours and days.”

In an earlier statement Friday evening, Gov. Chris Sununu said: “This afternoon, there was an incident at New Hampshire Hospital, which has been contained. While the scene remains active as the campus is cleared, the suspect is deceased. The state immediately mobilized, and first responders and law enforcement are on the scene. We will provide as many details as possible as this situation unfolds.”

Concord police have blocked off roads near the hospital and multiple helicopters were seen flying above the scene. Hall said the investigation could continue for days.