AG releases names of officers involved in fatal shooting of Gonic suspect

Scene of the shooting from a WCVB TV Boston helicopter; inset, Douglas Heath (Police photo)

CONCORD - The state's Attorney General today released the names of the lawmen involved in the Aug. 20 fatal shooting of a Gonic man who drew his gun on police after crashing his car following a 15-minute chase.

Douglas Heath was killed when he careened into the Easy Street footwear building at the intersection of Oak Street and Route 125 in Gonic and moments later emerged from the passenger side door gun in hand.

The four officers who discharged their weapons included New Hampshire State Police Troopers Haden Wilber and Nathaniel Goodwin, and Detective Geoff Moore and Officer Michael Lambert of the Rochester Police Department.

On Friday a coroner's report found that Heath died of "multiple gunshot wounds."

The shooting unfolded around 3 p.m. when police spotted Heath, 38, whom they had learned was in possession of three firearms and "had no intention of going to jail."

A pursuit ensued and about 15 minutes later Heath crashed into the corner of the Easy Street building at the corner of Route 125 and Oak Street, which is directly opposite Colby Street where he formerly lived.

Moments after crashing Heath climbed from the passenger side of his car gun in hand and started shooting, Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said the day of the incident.

He was hit with a hail of bullets from police and died at the scene. A gun was found near his body.

All four officers have been placed on administrative leave.

Heath was wanted on warrants for drug trafficking and fleeing from Maine State Police.

Heath had had several skirmishes with Rochester Police, the most recent of which was an April 13 arrest - likely a traffic stop - for driving without headlamps and seven counts of illegal drug possession.

That arrest listed his home address as 12 Colby St. in Gonic.

On July 26, 2017, when he was listed as living at 20 Fairway Ave., Rochester, he was charged with criminal liability for conduct of another.

And on Dec. 11, 2016, Heath was arrested by Rochester Police on a warrant.

Anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to contact Sgt. Justin Rowe of the New Hampshire Police Major Crime Unit at 271-3636.