Officer who fatally shot man in gunbattle in critical

CONCORD - Police are investigating a deadly Dalton shootout between a State Trooper and a motorist who was pulled over for a traffic stop.

The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. on Wednesday during a traffic stop on Bridge Hill Road in Dalton. Shortly after the motor vehicle stop, there was an exchange of gunfire between the Trooper and Mark R. Clermont, 45, of Whitefield, the sole male occupant of the stopped vehicle, according to a press release sent today from the state AG's office.

Clermont, who was armed with a rifle and handgun, was found dead at the scene with an apparent gunshot wound. An autopsy today found that he died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

The trooper suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital for treatment of his wounds. He remains in critical but stable condition.

The name of the trooper involved in the incident is being withheld pending the conclusion of a formal interview.

Safety officials say the trooper did not have a police body camera or cruiser camera.