ATTORNEY GENERAL: NEW HAMPSHIRE OFFICER'S GUNFIRE OK

On Saturday, Sept. 1, around 10:48 p.m., Soucie, driving a white Chevrolet Astro van, took police on a pursuit through Kensington into Hampton Falls where he entered the U-shaped driveway of Anderson Marine on Route 1, according to the AG's office.

Hampton Falls officers Tetreault and Brian Rathman attempted to block Soutie's van from leaving. Soucie drove into Rathman's cruiser. Tetreault drew his sidearm and ordered Soucie to stop. Instead Soucie accelerated and drove straight at Tetreault, according to the AG's office.

"Officer Tetreault moved out of the way and the van then struck the rear corner of Officer Tetreault's cruiser, in approximately the same area where Officer Tetreault had just been standing," according to the statement from Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and Strelzin. "Officer Tetreault, fearing for his life and believing that he had no other alternative to protect himself, discharged his sidearm six times, striking the van in the passenger side sliding door and passenger door area."

Soucie's van continued south on Route 1 into Amesbury, Mass., where it went off the road. He was transported to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, Mass., treated and released to police custody.

Hampton Falls, Kensington and Amesbury police are pursuing charges against Soucie, said Strelzin.

A law enforcement officer is justified in using deadly force only when he reasonably believes such force is necessary to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes is the imminent use of deadly force, said Ayotte.

"The State Police Major Crime Unit has interviewed the witnesses to this event and Officer Tetreault provided a detailed statement to investigators. Following a review of the interviews, the video recordings from Officer Tetreault's and Officer Rathman's cruisers, and evidence from the scene and van, the attorney general's office has concluded that Officer Tetreault was justified in using deadly force against Derek Soucie," she said. "In addition, Officer Tetreault's actions were legally justified as necessary to effect Soucie's arrest." A comprehensive written report concerning the investigation of this incident will be issued in the future.