RAYMOND, NH — A “high-stakes and rapidly evolving” law enforcement crisis has gripped the town of Raymond and surrounding communities following a violent encounter that left a police officer wounded and sparked a massive, multi-state manhunt. Authorities have officially identified the suspect as Matt Masse, who is considered armed and dangerous. Masse allegedly fired multiple rounds at law enforcement during a barricade situation on Sunday afternoon, April 5, 2026, before fleeing into the dense wooded and marshy terrain of southern New Hampshire.

The incident has triggered an unprecedented mobilization of resources, including SWAT teams, armored BearCats, and aerial support from both the New Hampshire and Massachusetts State Police, as tactical units work to contain a suspect reportedly armed with an “AK-style rifle.”

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The Incident: Barricade and Shooting on Ham Road

The nightmare began shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Local law enforcement responded to a residence near the intersection of Route 27 and Ham Road for a report involving an armed and barricaded individual.

As officers attempted to establish a perimeter and initiate negotiations, the situation turned “violently kinetic.” Multiple shots were fired from the residence, and one police officer was struck in the leg.

Medical Update: Initially, a DHART medical helicopter was requested due to the severity of the report. However, once the officer was stabilized, officials confirmed the injury was non-life-threatening. The medical helicopter was subsequently canceled, and the officer was transported to a regional hospital for treatment.

The Manhunt: Timeline of a Fluid Pursuit

Following the shooting, Matt Masse managed to bypass the initial perimeter and flee the scene on foot, initiating a “dynamic search operation” that expanded by the minute.

• 3:32 p.m.: Law enforcement received intelligence of an individual matching Masse’s description, armed with a long gun, in the Nottingham area.

• 3:37 p.m.: Reports of fresh gunfire were received near 102 Ham Road, intensifying the tactical response in the immediate vicinity.

• 3:38 p.m.: The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) took the extraordinary step of shutting down all roads within a two-mile radius of the staging area to prevent the suspect from hijacking a vehicle or escaping the zone.

• 4:18 p.m.: New Hampshire State Police Air 1 (helicopter) arrived on the scene, utilizing thermal imaging to scan the wooded areas and marshes behind Ham Road residences.

• 5:09 p.m.: A secondary tactical perimeter was established along Blake Road as K-9 units and New Hampshire Fish and Game drones were deployed to track the suspect’s scent through difficult terrain.

The Suspect: Matt Masse

Authorities have been “explicit and urgent” in their description of Matt Masse. He is believed to be heavily armed and has demonstrated a “willingness to use lethal force” against uniformed officers.

Critical Details:

• Status: At Large / Armed and Dangerous.

• Mental Health: While social media and early reports have speculated on the suspect’s mental state, law enforcement officials have not formally confirmed any specific diagnoses.

• Family Involvement: At approximately 5:14 p.m., Masse’s mother reportedly arrived at the law enforcement command post. She is currently cooperating with negotiators in hopes of a “peaceful surrender.”

Public Safety: Shelter-in-Place Advisory

As of Sunday evening, April 5, the search perimeter continues to expand toward Stingy River Road and the Nottingham town line. Residents in Raymond, Nottingham, and Epping are under a strict shelter-in-place advisory.

Law Enforcement Directives:

1. Stay Indoors: Lock all doors and windows.

2. Avoid Travel: Do not attempt to drive through the Route 27 or Route 101 (Exits 5 and 6) corridors, as tactical units are actively searching these zones.

3. Report Sightings: If you see a subject matching Masse’s description or observe suspicious activity in your backyard or outbuildings, call 911 immediately. Do not approach the suspect.

Multi-Agency Response

The sheer scale of the operation underscores the “high-priority nature” of the threat. The response includes:

• New Hampshire State Police (Tactical and Aerial units)

• Massachusetts State Police (Aerial support)

• New Hampshire Fish and Game (Drone and wilderness tracking)

• Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office

• Local SWAT and K-9 Teams

A Community on Edge

The town of Raymond remains in a “state of high-alert.” The sound of low-flying helicopters and the sight of armored vehicles have transformed the quiet Sunday into a “theater of tactical operations.”

“We are doing everything in our power to bring this to a safe conclusion,” a State Police spokesperson stated. “Our primary focus is the safety of the residents and the apprehension of the suspect without further loss of life.”

The situation remains active and fluid. Updates will be provided as law enforcement makes progress in the wooded areas of Rockingham County.