DEERFIELD — A shooting suspect was taken into custody after leading police on a chase and manhunt that prompted a shelter-in-place order for residents.
Divaris Ojani Ruiz, 18, of Manchester, was arrested about an hour after fleeing into woods on South Road in Deerfield on Tuesday night.
The incident began at 8:33 p.m. June 24 when New Hampshire State Police learned of a shooting at Hampton Beach.
Officers with the Epping Police Department spotted a vehicle matching the suspect’s description traveling westbound on Route 101 in Epping.
State troopers and Epping officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit began.
The suspect exited Route 101 at Exit 3 and encountered Auburn police, who successfully used a tire deflation device on the vehicle.
The suspect continued on Route 43 before stopping on South Road in Deerfield, where he got out and ran into the woods.
A juvenile passenger in the vehicle was detained.
Law enforcement set up a perimeter and launched a search for the potentially armed suspect.
Residents were notified through the NH Alerts system and asked to shelter in place during the search.
The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing assisted in the search along with officers from Deerfield, Epping, Auburn and Candia police departments and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
The shelter-in-place order was lifted after Ruiz was taken into custody.
State Police charged Ruiz with reckless operation and disobeying a police officer in connection with the pursuit.
Hampton Police Department filed additional charges related to the initial shooting incident.
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