Portsmouth, NH — A tragic event unfolded early Thursday morning, August 29, 2024, on the Piscataqua River Bridge, which links New Hampshire and Maine. The incident resulted in the death of a man and a child, prompting a lengthy closure of the bridge. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
The Sequence of Events
The incident began in Troy, New Hampshire, where police discovered the body of a woman at a home on Monadnock Street. According to New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, the man who later died on the bridge was suspected of killing this woman. After the murder, he fled the scene, driving almost 100 miles to the Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95. This bridge connects Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine, making it a critical route for travelers between the two states.
The authorities quickly tracked down the suspect, and at approximately 3 a.m., they engaged with him on the bridge. According to Formella’s office, this encounter ended with the police shooting the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
After the shooting, the police made a horrifying discovery in the suspect’s vehicle. An 8-year-old child was found inside, fatally shot. The exact circumstances surrounding the child’s death are still unclear, and both New Hampshire and Maine authorities are actively investigating. The Attorney General’s office has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with details still emerging.
Response and Investigation
The Maine Attorney General’s Office is also involved in the investigation due to the interstate nature of the incident. Both states’ law enforcement agencies are working together to determine the sequence of events and the motives behind this tragic situation.
Bridge Closure and Traffic Impact
As a result of the police activity on the bridge, authorities closed the Piscataqua River Bridge at around 3 a.m. The closure significantly impacted early morning traffic, as the bridge is a major route between New Hampshire and Maine. Drivers were redirected to two other local bridges in the area. These alternate routes quickly became congested, causing delays for commuters.
The bridge remained closed for over six hours while investigators processed the scene. By 9:30 a.m., the authorities had reopened the bridge to traffic, but not before the incident caused significant disruption to the morning commute.
Public Safety and Community Reaction
The police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat following the incident. Despite this reassurance, the tragic nature of the events has left the local community in shock. The discovery of the child’s death, in particular, has deeply affected those in both states.
A news conference is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. today at the Kittery, Maine police department. This briefing is expected to provide more details about the investigation and the events leading up to the shootings. CBS News Boston will broadcast the conference live, offering the public an opportunity to hear directly from the authorities.
A Community in Mourning
The events on the Piscataqua River Bridge have left a lasting impact on the community. The deaths of the man and the child are reminders of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of violence. As investigations continue, residents of New Hampshire and Maine are left grappling with the tragedy that unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The police have yet to release the identities of the deceased, and no further information is available at this time. The ongoing investigation will likely uncover more details in the coming days. In the meantime, the community remains united in grief, waiting for answers and hoping for justice for the victims.
