Autopsy shows man killed in police shootout died of self-inflicted gunshot

Matthew J. Masse (Police mugshot)

RAYMOND - An autopsy conducted on the victim of an officer-involved shooting in Raymond on Saturday shows that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chin and head area, according to a release from the Attorney Generals Office sent out on Monday.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. when police officers responded to an address on Ham Road for a report that Matthew J. Masse, 38, had fired a long gun at family members. As previously reported by other law enforcement agencies, Masse also fired his rifle at responding police officers, striking and wounding an officer with the Nottingham Police Department, causing non-life-threatening injuries, according to safety officials. Masse then fled the scene into a wooded area.

Police began a search for Masse, ultimately making contact with him around 10:05 p.m.

As officers attempted to take him into custody, however, there was an exchange of gunfire between Masse and the officers, killing Masse

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner also determined that Masse sustained a shrapnel wound of his left elbow in addition to the self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation into the officer-involved use of deadly force on Masse is ongoing, and the identity of the officers who used deadly force will be disclosed once formal interviews of all involved in the incident are completed in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Nottingham Police Department officer who was struck in the arm and wounded by one of Masse's gunshots earlier in the day was released from the hospital on Monday.