Tragedy struck in Manchester on Friday when a police officer fatally shot a man wanted for bank robbery. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jake Chiaradonna, was declared dead following an altercation that saw him stabbing a police K-9 with a screwdriver. Boston.com reported that the suspect, previously convicted of robbing two banks in 2016, was encountered by police officers inside a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Pine and Plummer Streets.
According to the details furnished by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office and the Manchester Police Department, as detailed in a statement acquired by Boston.com, officers had been alerted to be on the lookout for Chiaradonna following a robbery on Thursday. When police located Chiaradonna, he initially refused to leave the purported stolen car and subsequently confronted officers, injuring a police dog named “Duke” during his attempt to flee.
Further reports from Patch.com confirmed that Chiaradonna had once again clashed with law enforcement after they deployed less-lethal force and called in the K-9 to apprehend him. It was during this struggle that Chiaradonna stabbed the K-9 and attempted to attack the officers, leading to one of them discharging their weapon. The suspect was hit and later died at the Elliot Hospital due to the injuries sustained.
"He's a very dangerous individual, and again, I have full confidence in the actions of the Manchester police officers this morning," Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg told WMUR News 9. The injured K-9, Duke, was promptly treated by a veterinarian and is reported to be recovering at home. No police officers were injured during the altercation that led to Chiaradonna's death.
While the officer-involved shooting is now under investigation by the office of Attorney General John M. Formella and New Hampshire State Police, the identity of the officer who discharged the fatal shots will not be disclosed until after a formal interview expected to take place next week. An autopsy has been scheduled to determine Chiaradonna's exact cause of death.
