AG finds 2019 police shooting of Ossipee man justified

CONCORD - The Attorney General's Office on Monday released its final report regarding the shooting by police of an Ossipee man in 2019.

The report concluded that the Nov. 7 nonfatal shooting of John Swanson, 57, was justified.

The Attorney General's Office had previously released its findings regarding this event on March 3, 2020, via a press release, but did not release the final report due to related pending criminal charges against Swanson at that time.

The final investigation report concludes that based on all the facts and circumstances, Troopers Nicholas Levesque, Nicholas Cyr, and Michael Cedrone of the New Hampshire State Police were legally justified in the use of deadly force when each officer discharged their firearm.

Accordingly, no charges will be filed against the law enforcement officers involved.

The Carroll County Attorney's Office did charge Swanson in connection with statements he made to police officers on Nov. 6, 2019, and Nov.7, 2019; with gunshots law enforcement officers believed they heard coming from his residence on Nov. 7, 2019; as well as other criminal charges.

Following a hearing to determine competency, the charges against Swanson were dismissed by the Court.