Troopers justified in firing guns during standoff in Plymouth

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office said Thursday that six state troopers were legally justified when they fired their guns last fall during an armed standoff in Plymouth.

Officials said the standoff happened in November at the Federal House Inn. Investigators said an attorney and his assistant went there to discuss a court-ordered deadline to refinance the property.

Officials said the property owner, Kevin Steinfeldt, put a gun against the assistant’s head and fired as the man pulled away. He then threatened both men with a meat cleaver, investigators said.

The men were able to get out of the building before a standoff began between police and Steinfeldt.

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Several hours later, Steinfeldt opened a doorway with a rifle in his hand, officials said. According to the report, six troopers opened fire at the same time that Steinfeldt shot himself.

An autopsy confirmed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.