CONCORD, N.H. — Officials declared that a New Hampshire state trooper acted justifiably in a fatal shooting incident at New Hampshire Hospital last November, which resulted in the deaths of a security officer and the gunman. The confrontation unfolded when John Madore, 33, commenced a violent attack within the hospital’s premises.
The attorney general’s office released a comprehensive 44-page report detailing the sequence of events on November 17, capturing the escalation that led to the tragic outcome. According to the report, Madore entered the hospital lobby at around 3:38 p.m., armed with a pistol hidden in his sweatshirt. Without any apparent provocation, Madore drew his weapon and shot Bradley Haas, 63, a former police chief serving as a hospital security officer.
Haas succumbed to his injuries following the shooting. Madore continued to brandish his weapon and move around the lobby area aggressively. Positioned in a nearby security office, State Trooper Nathan Sleight responded swiftly to the threat. Despite repeated commands to disarm, Madore ignored the calls for compliance and was ultimately shot by Sleight as he attempted to reload his weapon.
Assistant Attorney General Adam Woods commented on the incident, stating, “Trooper Sleight faced a situation where a threat of deadly force was imminent. His decision to use deadly force was aimed at preventing further harm and was justified given the circumstances.”
Following the incident, Trooper Sleight was placed on administrative leave, consistent with protocol, but has since returned to active duty.
The shooting prompted a review of security measures at New Hampshire Hospital, culminating in enhanced protocols to safeguard patients, staff, and visitors. Governor Chris Sununu directed the Department of Safety to orchestrate an in-depth security assessment at the facility.
Based on the findings, additional security personnel have been stationed at the hospital since March. Ellen Lapointe, CEO of New Hampshire Hospital, outlined further safety improvements, including enforcing specific visiting hours and implementing new protocols during these periods. “We are also pushing ahead with plans for renovating the front lobby in the coming months, which will further secure our premises,” Lapointe added.
Officials are yet to finalize arrangements with vendors for expanding security measures, indicating that updates and enhancements are ongoing and are prioritized for implementation within the near future.
This tragic event has thus catalyzed a series of actions aimed at reinforcing the safety of New Hampshire Hospital, ensuring that both the physical security infrastructure and operational protocols are robust enough to prevent similar incidents in the future.