Fatal Police Shooting In Manchester Ruled Justified

MANCHESTER, NH — NH Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald released the final report in the investigation into the death of Carl D. Manning, 62. Manning’s death was a result of an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on April 5, 2020, on Lake Shore Road in Manchester.

On April 5, at approximately 3 a.m., neighbors reported a fire on Dearborn Street in Manchester. When the police arrived, bystanders told them that the homeowner “had a volatile relationship with an ex-boyfriend,” who was identified as Manning. A neighbor also provided police with video surveillance footage from around the time of the fire, which showed a man leaving the scene of the fire and then an explosion occurring. The man did not pick up speed after the explosion and did not turn around or otherwise act surprised by the explosion.

After the fire, the Manchester police actively tried locating Manning. Unmarked
police cruisers were deployed trying to find a white Chevrolet pickup truck he was believed to
be driving. In addition, the police surveilled places where Manning might be located.

About 5:30 p.m., Manchester police received a CrimeLine tip that Manning’s truck had been seen parked on Lake Shore Road in Manchester.

Unmarked MPD police cruisers were sent to that area and confirmed that Manning’s truck was
parked on the side of the road.

Manning ended up pulling out a small box or case from behind him, opened it, and then took out a .22 caliber Derringer-type pistol from the box/case and put it to his own head.

Sgt. Matthew Barter repeatedly told Manning to drop the gun but Manning did not, and said many times in a determined fashion, “No, you’re going to have to shoot me.”

Manning got out of the passenger side door of the truck and appeared, for a moment, to start to walk toward the nearby police SUV. However, when Detective Pappalardo noticed that movement, he moved and placed himself in between the SUV and Manning to prevent him from getting to the SUV. Once Manning realized his path to the SUV was blocked, Pappalardo said Manning looked angry and frustrated and started walking backwards along the passenger side of his truck.

As Manning started to walk along the passenger side of his truck, Pappalardo moved toward the front of Manning’s truck to rejoin Barter and Officer Erik Slocum, who were keeping step on the driver’s side of the truck with Manning. Both officers had their rifles trained on Manning as they moved down along with him.

Manning yelled at the officers, telling them multiple times that they were going to have to shoot. The officers responded and told Manning to drop the gun, but he did not comply with those orders. As the officers continued moving in step with Manning toward the back of his truck, he stayed very close to the side of his truck. At the rear of the truck, Manning’s right arm started to move, causing his elbow to move back and his gun hand to move forward. Based on that action, Barter and Slocum believed that Manning was going to shoot at them.

Barter responded by firing one shot at Manning and Slocum fired three shots at Manning using their department-issued .223 caliber rifles.

Barter could see that the officers’ gunfire had hit Manning in the face, and then Manning fell to the ground. The loaded gun Manning had been holding landed on the ground above his head.

After the shots were fired, Slocum retrieved his medical bag and checked Manning for any signs of life. Manning had no pulse and was deceased. The officers also checked Manning’s clothing for any explosive devices and did not find any.

Based upon all the facts and circumstances of this case, the Attorney General concluded that Manning created a dangerous situation when he exited his truck holding a loaded handgun, and that it was reasonable for Barter and Slocum to conclude that they faced an imminent threat of deadly force from Manning, and to use deadly force against him in order to protect their own lives and the lives of their fellow officers.

Therefore, based on all the facts and circumstances known to Barter and Slocum on April 5, 2020, it was reasonable for them to conclude that they faced an imminent threat of deadly force from Manning. Accordingly, Barter and Slocum were legally justified in using deadly force against Manning, and no criminal charges will be filed against those officers for shooting Manning.

To view the entire detailed report Click Here