RAYMOND, N.H. —
The family of 38-year-old Matthew Masse, who was killed Saturday night following a manhunt with Raymond police, said they had been concerned about his mental health for some time.
“He was lost, and it was hard for him to find his way back,” said his brother, Kodey Masse.
Matthew Masse is accused of shooting and injuring a Nottingham police officer Saturday afternoon. The officer’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Kodey Masse said the family believes Matthew Masse may have set fire to his parents’ home Thursday. They told police they suspected he was hiding in a vacant home about a half-mile away on Ham Road. However, they said police never went to check.
On Saturday afternoon, Kodey Masse said family members went to the vacant home to check on him. That’s when, he said, Matthew Masse fired at them with a rifle.
“He was upstairs and fired two shots at us, and he had us pinned down at my truck at the driveway,” he said.
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Kodey Masse said he and another brother stayed put until officers arrived.
“Then he finally come running out of the house and shooting. I guess he shot a cop and then took off running, and it’s just, it’s just crazy,” he said.
Friends, neighbors and others left flowers for the family and spent the day processing the hourslong standoff that turned deadly.
“We’re just here for support. It’s devastating for the most part,” said Kim LeBlanc, a cousin of Matthew Masse.
Kodey Masse said the man involved Saturday was not the brother he knew.
“He wasn’t my brother. That person last night just wasn’t,” he said.
Kodey Masse told News 9 Masse had a daughter and two stepchildren.
The Masse family said they are hoping the injured officer makes a speedy recovery.