MANCHESTER, N.H. — Authorities have launched an investigation after a Manchester officer shot a suspect who was being pursued through the city Sunday night.
Officers responding to the area of Elm Street and Mechanic Street around 11:30 p.m. found a black Nissan 350Z convertible driving recklessly and doing “burnouts,” according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. Callers allegedly reported that the car was speeding, passing other cars, running red lights, and doing donuts in the middle of the roadway. Police say they attempted to stop the convertible but it drove off at a high rate of speed, forcing officers to end their initial pursuit.
A subsequent investigation identified the driver of the car as 18-year-old Waleed Al Thuwayni, of Manchester, who had been inside the Manchester Police Department acting irate earlier in the evening, according to authorities.
A short time later, officers found Thuwayni in a parking lot near 265 Maple Street. At approximately 11:56 p.m., an officer attempted to make contact with Thuwayni, and Manchester Police say he pulled out what appeared to be a black handgun and pointed it at the officer. The officer then shot and wounded Thuwayni, officials say, and immediately began medical care.
Thuwayni was taken into custody and transported to Elliott Hospital with non life threatening gun shot wounds.
The officer has been identified as Sergeant Derek Feather, who has 19 years of law enforcement experience. He’s been with the Manchester Police Department since 2004.
The AG’s Office says the weapon pointed at the officer was determined to be a BB gun resembling a realistic firearm.
Thuwayni is being charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon (for driving speeds approximately 70 to 90 miles per hour, disobeying traffic control devices, and placing the public in danger of serious bodily injury), criminal threatening (for pointing what appeared to be a black handgun at an officer) and disobeying an officer.
The AG’s Office says the initial responding officers were wearing body cameras and they will be reviewing that footage.
The incident remains under investigation.
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