CHARLESTOWN — Authorities have identified the police officer who shot and injured a 23-year-old man following a high-speed chase in Charlestown last month.
Jacob Sands, who has six years of law enforcement experience, was the officer who used deadly force against Christian Paquette on Nov. 14, Attorney General John Formella announced on Wednesday.
Sands joined the Charlestown Police Department earlier this year, the release said.
Paquette is still receiving treatment for the gunshot wounds, the Wednesday news release from the Attorney General’s Office said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the Wednesday release said.
In a news release last month, New Hampshire State Police said the incident began around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 14, when Sands tried to stop a speeding vehicle without a license plate. The subsequent pursuit reached speeds of 90 mph.
Paquette eventually stopped his car and fled on foot. According to police, Sands encountered Paquette holding a knife, which he refused to drop as he drew closer to the officer, authorities said. Sands then opened fire, striking Paquette, who was taken to a hospital.
A report on whether Sands’ use of deadly force was justified will be released once the investigation is complete, and a separate criminal case against Paquette is resolved, the Wednesday release said.