Report Concludes State Trooper Was Justified in Shooting Man at Psychiatric Hospital

A New Hampshire state trooper’s fatal shooting of a man at a psychiatric hospital has been deemed justified, according to a final report.

At a Glance

State Trooper Nathan Sleight fatally shot John Madore at New Hampshire Hospital on November 17
Madore had just allegedly killed Bradley Haas, an unarmed security guard at the hospital entrance
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office concluded Sleight was justified in using deadly force
Madore, a former patient with schizophrenia, obtained a gun by lying about his psychiatric history
The incident has reignited debate over background check legislation in New Hampshire

Justified Use of Deadly Force

The New Hampshire attorney general’s office has concluded that State Trooper Nathan Sleight was justified in using deadly force against John Madore at a psychiatric hospital last November. The incident, which occurred at the New Hampshire Hospital in Concord, unfolded rapidly, with video footage showing that the entire event transpired in less than one minute.

State trooper who fatally shot man at hospital was justified in use of deadly force, report says https://t.co/Hjs515IAB2 pic.twitter.com/DBFn2FikJk

— The Independent (@Independent) August 22, 2024

According to the report, Madore, a former patient at the hospital, had just fatally shot Bradley Haas, an unarmed security guard working at the front entrance. Trooper Sleight responded to the scene and encountered Madore, who ignored commands to drop his weapon and attempted to reload. In response, Sleight used deadly force to neutralize the threat.

Background of the Shooter

The attorney general’s report provides a detailed account of John Madore’s background, including his schizophrenia diagnosis and previous hospitalizations. At the time of the incident, Madore was homeless, unemployed, and concerned about losing financial support from his family. These factors may have contributed to his mental state leading up to the tragic event.

Gun Acquisition and Legal Loopholes

One of the most alarming aspects of this case is how Madore obtained the firearm used in the shooting. Despite being prohibited from purchasing a gun due to his previous psychiatric commitment, Madore allegedly managed to acquire a pistol by lying to a gun dealer about his mental health history. This incident has exposed a significant loophole in New Hampshire’s gun laws.

Currently, New Hampshire does not require psychiatric commitment records to be submitted to the national background check database. This oversight reportedly allowed Madore to pass a background check and purchase a firearm legally, despite his disqualifying mental health history. Legislation aimed at closing this loophole was previously defeated by Senate Republicans, influenced by pro-gun rights groups.

Impact on Hospital Security and Policy Debate

The shooting at New Hampshire Hospital has had far-reaching consequences. The incident led to a lockdown and caused significant distress among staff members, with some requiring temporary leave. In response to the tragedy, the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Safety are now moving to station private armed security at the hospital, a measure aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

This event has reignited the debate over background check legislation in New Hampshire. Proponents argue that a more comprehensive system could have prevented this tragedy, potentially saving lives. Critics, however, maintain that no system can completely prevent determined individuals from obtaining firearms illegally.