Autopsy shows Somersworth shooting victim died of gunshot wound to chest

Police tape is strung across the scene of Monday's fatal shooting on Monday. (Rochester, N.H., Scanner Reports)

SOMERSWORTH - State and Somersworth Police today are continuing an investigation into whether self-defense may have played a role in Monday's shooting on High Street that left one man dead.

Police got involved around 7:20 p.m. after 911 dispatchers received a call for police and emergency medical services to a reported shooting outside an apartment building at 97 High St. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, later identified as Jeffrey Prouty, 36, suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.

Upon entering the building, officers located a second male, age 31, suffering from what appeared to be non-gunshot wounds in a common hallway. Both men were transported to a local hospital where Prouty was later pronounced deceased, and the 31-year-old male was briefly hospitalized for medical treatment, according to a Somersworth press release on Tuesday. The second male has since been released from the hospital.

Evidence revealed at the scene showed that both men were involved in an argument immediately prior to the shooting, and the investigation currently includes determining whether the injured male acted in self-defense, police say.

An autopsy conducted on Tuesday revealed Prouty's cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest, and the manner of his death was homicide.

Investigators are now looking to interview several witnesses they believe were at the scene during the deadly confrontation, but left before police arrived.

Investigators are asking any and all individuals who saw the event but have not yet spoken with police to call the New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit at (603) 223-3856 or send an email to MCU@dos.nh.gov. People may also call the Somersworth Police Department at (603) 692-3131.