Coroner: Gonic man killed by police died of 'multiple gunshot wounds'

Scene of the shooting from a WCVB TV Boston helicopter; inset, Douglas Heath (Police photo)

GONIC - The Gonic man who was killed in a shootout with Rochester and State Police on Monday died of "multiple gunshot wounds," according to a coroner's report detailed in a statement sent from the state's Attorney General's office today.

In the statement AG Gordon MacDonald noted that Douglas Heath, 38, of 12 Colby St., had been "shot multiple times."

The shooting unfolded around 3 p.m. when police spotted Heath who they had learned last week via an officer alert was in possession of three firearms and "had no intention of going to jail."

A pursuit ensued and about 15 minutes later Heath crashed into the corner of the Easy Street building at the corner of Route 125 and Oak Street, which is directly opposite Colby Street.

Moments after crashing Heath climbed from the passenger side of his car gun in hand and started shooting, according to Attorney General Gordon MacDonald.

He was hit with a hail of bullets from police and died at the scene. A gun was found near his body.

MacDonald on Monday said four officers, two from the Rochester Police Department and two from State Police, were involved in the pursuit and fatal shooting of Heath.

It has still not been confirmed how many of the officers present discharged their weapons.

Each officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. Their names have not been released.

Heath was reportedly wanted on warrants for drug trafficking and fleeing from Maine State Police.

On Tuesday Maine State Police released information on how Heath attempted to elude them back in June.

The chase originated in Sanford on June 11 when officers there spotted Heath and tried to pull him over because they knew he was wanted on drug charges out of Rochester.

State Police continued the chase for a couple of miles into Lebanon but terminated the pursuit due to public safety and because they knew who the driver was.

Heath's car was later tracked to a residence on Second Street in Lebanon where he was staying at the time.

Police later learned that Heath had fled on foot and had likely been picked up by a vehicle and left the area. Meanwhile, Heath has had several skirmishes with Rochester Police, the most recent of which was an April 13 arrest - likely a traffic stop - for driving without headlamps and seven counts of illegal drug possession.

That arrest listed his home address as 12 Colby St. in Gonic.

On July 26, 2017, when he was listed as living at 20 Fairway Ave., Rochester, he was charged with criminal liability for conduct of another.

And on Dec. 11, 2016, Heath was arrested by Rochester Police on a warrant.

Anyone who witnessed what happened is asked to contact Sgt. Justin Rowe of the New Hampshire Police Major Crime Unit at 271-3636.