LONDONDERRY, N.H. (WHDH) – A suspect involved in a standoff in Londonderry, New Hampshire has died.
According to police, 71-year-old Richard Verville passed away at a hospital in Massachusetts.
Police said Verville shot City Fuel service technician Daniel Rabideau, 59, in the head, killing him. He then tried to kill himself. Police said they found Rabideau’s body when they were sent to the house on a well-being check. Rabideau had been at the house working on the heating system.
Police said Verville refused to come out of the home, even after police used a bullhorn and sent a robot into the house to try and coax him out. Several residents were first asked to stay in their homes and were later evacuated during the standoff. Nearby schools were also told to keep students inside until the standoff was over.
Police said they found Verville with self-inflicted wounds at the house. He was taken to the hospital under police guard with life-threatening injuries.
Neighbors described Verville as strange and paranoid. Some residents showed 7News a letter of introduction that he handed out to neighbors when he moved in four years ago, explaining that he was not a terrorist. Residents said he had run-ins with several of them over the years.
Rabideau’s family said he never mentioned any issue with Verville or any other customers. They are now wondering why Verville decided to kill him when he was just doing his job. There is no word on a motive at this time but prosecutors said Verville was suffering from significant mental health issues.
“It’s just a tragedy because mental illness is a serious thing and people up here knew this guy had serious issues and nothing was done,” said Rabideau’s stepdaughter, Kim Mattucci.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)