BELMONT, NH – At approximately 2:50 p.m., an officer with the Belmont Police Department was on patrol and pulled into the Irving Service Station at 9 Plummer Hill Road in Belmont. After pulling into the gas station, the officer radioed to dispatch that he recognized Joseph Mazzitelli, and that the officer believed Mr. Mazzitelli was the subject of outstanding warrants.
The officer received confirmation of an outstanding warrant for Mr. Mazzitelli. An encounter ensued, during which Mr. Mazzitelli displayed a firearm. The officer discharged his weapon. The incident took place next to a car Mr. Mazzitelli had driven to the gas station. It was parked adjacent to a gas pump. Mr. Mazzitelli was transported to Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia. He later died. He was 46 and lived in Belmont.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy on Monday, October 2, at 9 a.m. The exact circumstances surrounding the officer’s discharge of his weapon remain actively under investigation.
Pursuant to protocol, the name of the officer involved in the incident is being withheld pending the officer’s formal interview. That interview is expected to take place early next week. Further, pursuant to protocol, the officer has been placed on administrative leave.
At the time of the incident, there were approximately 11 witnesses at the gas station. Neither the officer nor any member of the public suffered any physical injuries during the incident. The officer was evaluated at Lakes Region General Hospital and later released.
The Belmont officer did not have a body camera and his cruiser was not equipped with a video camera. There were surveillance cameras at the gas station. This matter remains under active investigation.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, or anyone who had contact with Mr. Mazzitelli prior to the shooting Saturday should contact Justin Rowe of the New Hampshire State Police at (603) 223-8849 or the New Hampshire State Police Headquarters at (603) 223-4381.
