Wild police chase ends with shots fired, suspect dead

NEWTON, N.H. — A wild police chase that crossed state lines ended late Thursday night with shots fired and an armed suspect dead.

Massachusetts State Police said the chase began in Malden and went through several communities and along several miles of highway before ending in Newton, New Hampshire.

The suspect, who has been identified as Michael Brown, 40, of Presque Isle, Maine, drove for much of the pursuit on damaged tires after driving over stop sticks, and at one point even drove the wrong way on I-495 in Amesbury, according to state police.

State police said Brown fired several shots at troopers during the pursuit, which finally ended when he crashed into a tree at Bear Hill and Amesbury roads.

After the crash, state police said, more shots were fired and Brown suffered a gunshot injury. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

There is conflicting information on whether Brown died from police gunfire or a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The medical examiner later determined that Brown died from a single gunshot wound to the neck. The manner of death has been ruled homicide, meaning that it was from police gunfire and not his own gun.

Representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation said Route 108/Bear Hill Road in Newton near the Amesbury/Massachusetts State Line is closed while the incident is investigated.

Brown was wanted in Maine on sexual assault, firearms and stolen motor vehicle charges.

New Hampshire State Police are now in charge of the investigation.

No other information was released.

Cox Media Group