Ben Shannon's death ruled homicide

Benjamin Shannon

CONCORD, N.H. - Benjamin Shannon died of three gunshot wounds to the arms and torso and the manner of death was homicide, meaning the wounds were inflicted by another individual or individuals, according to a report released on Friday by the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office.

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and the New Hampshire State Police issued the press release regarding the new facts of the case Friday afternoon.

The autopsy was conducted in Maine, because Shannon died there after being transported to Maine Med after a shooting that occurred when three members of the New Hampshire parole/probation unit and a Strafford County Sheriff’s Deputy went to arrest him at his mother’s mobile home inside Saks Trailer Park in Rochester on Monday.

Lawmen had a warrant for his arrest for skipping a court date while out on bail.

The release goes on to say that being termed a homicide is a medical conclusion and not a legal one. It means the cause of death was inflicted by another person.

Friday’s press release also stressed that despite rumors, the shooting incident did not involve any member of the Rochester Police Department and that Rochester Police officers were called to the scene after a call of shots fired was received. 

Reports out of Dover, N.H., media had also indicated Shannon was shot six times, including twice in the back, which also proved untrue.

The investigation is ongoing.