RAYMOND, N.H. — A massive manhunt in this quiet New Hampshire town ended in tragedy Sunday when the suspect accused of shooting a police officer and opening fire on family members was killed in an exchange of gunfire with authorities.
Matthew J. Masse, 38, was found dead at the scene after a hours-long search that gripped the community, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The incident unfolded Saturday afternoon, sparking road closures, a shelter-in-place order and an all-out effort involving state and local law enforcement.
According to officials, the chaos began shortly after 1:30 p.m. when Masse allegedly used a long gun to shoot at relatives inside a family home in Raymond. As police responded to the domestic disturbance call, Masse turned his weapon on the officers, striking one in the process. The wounded officer, from the Nottingham Police Department, was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
Masse, described as a middle-aged white male standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 202 pounds, had active felony warrants stemming from an attempted arson at the same family residence just two days earlier on Thursday, officials reported. Details of the arson attempt were not immediately released, but it added a layer of urgency to the response as police moved in.
"The suspect fled into a heavily wooded area following the shooting," New Hampshire State Police Major Brendan Davey said during a news conference Saturday evening. The search quickly escalated, with K-9 units deployed and multiple agencies coordinating an "all-hands-on-deck" operation. Residents near Ham Road were ordered to shelter in place as helicopters buzzed overhead and roads were shut down to facilitate the hunt.
The manhunt, one of the largest in recent memory for the area, drew comparisons to high-profile pursuits in neighboring states, though officials emphasized the localized nature of the threat. By evening, the tension was palpable; local reports described families hunkered down, with children kept inside amid the uncertainty.
Around 10:06 p.m., state police located Masse in the wooded terrain, according to the Attorney General’s Office. What followed was a brief but intense confrontation. "There was an exchange of gunfire between Mr. Masse with his rifle and the officers," the office stated in a release Sunday morning. "Following that exchange, Mr. Masse was found deceased by officers when they approached his location."
His long gun was recovered nearby, and an autopsy has been scheduled for early this week to determine the exact cause and manner of death, officials added. No other officers or civilians were injured in the shootout, and authorities quickly assured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
The names of the involved officers are being withheld pending formal interviews, in line with departmental protocol. This standard practice allows for thorough investigations without compromising the personnel involved, particularly in high-stress incidents like this one.
Raymond, a small town of about 10,000 residents in Rockingham County, is known for its rural charm and proximity to larger cities like Manchester and Portsmouth. The sudden violence shattered the weekend calm, leaving neighbors stunned. One local resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters, "You never think something like this will happen here—it's usually so peaceful."
Context from prior incidents adds weight to the story. Masse's alleged attempted arson on Thursday had already put the family home under scrutiny, though specifics remain limited. Law enforcement sources indicated that the warrants were felony-level, suggesting a pattern of escalating behavior, but they cautioned against speculation until the full investigation concludes.
The Nottingham officer's recovery is a bright spot amid the grim events. Hospital officials reported that the injuries, while serious, did not require surgery, and the officer was expected to make a full recovery. Community support poured in quickly, with local police unions and residents organizing visits and donations.
As the sun rose Sunday, life in Raymond began to return to normal. Roads reopened, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted overnight. Yet, the incident has prompted discussions about mental health resources and domestic violence prevention in rural New Hampshire, where such services can be stretched thin.
Investigators from the Attorney General’s Office, state police and local departments are piecing together the timeline. Questions linger about Masse's motivations—whether rooted in the earlier arson dispute or deeper personal issues—but officials have not released further details. The focus now shifts to supporting the victims, including the injured officer and Masse's family members, who were reportedly targeted in the initial shooting.
In the broader scope, this event underscores the risks faced by first responders in domestic calls, which often turn volatile. New Hampshire has seen a uptick in such incidents in recent years, according to state crime data, though specifics for 2026 are still emerging. As the autopsy results come in and interviews wrap up, more clarity may emerge, but for now, Raymond mourns a day that started ordinarily and ended in loss.
The community has rallied, with a vigil planned for the officer's recovery. Officials urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that the investigation remains active. In a statement, Raymond Police Chief David Cascio expressed gratitude to partnering agencies: "This was a team effort that kept our town safe."