Release of Report Regarding Determination Made on Use of Force in Officer-Involved Shooting in Ossipee on November 7, 2019

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the Attorney General’s Office has released the final report regarding its determination as to the lawfulness of the law enforcement officers non-fatal shooting of John Swanson (age 57) in Ossipee, New Hampshire on November 7, 2019.

The Attorney General’s Office had previously released its findings regarding this event on March 3, 2020, via a press release, but did not release the final report due to related pending criminal charges against Mr. Swanson at that time. The final investigation report concludes that based on all the facts and circumstances, Troopers Nicholas Levesque, Nicholas Cyr, and Michael Cedrone of the New Hampshire State Police were legally justified in the use of deadly force when each officer discharged their firearm. Accordingly, no charges will be filed against the law enforcement officers involved.

The Carroll County Attorney’s Office did charge Mr. Swanson in connection with statements he made to police officers on November 6, 2019, and November 7, 2019; with gunshots law enforcement officers believed they heard coming from Mr. Swanson’s residence on November 7, 2019; as well as other criminal charges. Following a hearing to determine competency, the charges against Mr. Swanson were dismissed by the Court.