Jeffrey Hastings
- Mar 27, 2023

Man Pulled Fake 9MM Sig Sauer Handgun On Police And Was Shot

Manchester, NH - A 18-year-old man from Manchester has been arrested and faces several charges. He is accused by police of pulling a BB gun at an officer on Sunday night, which led to the man being shot by the officer, according to a report.

Police released a photograph of a gun that appears to be a Sig Sauer P226 9 MM handgun, however, it was later discovered it was a BB Gun.

Multiple 911 calls were received from different areas in Manchester about a car driving recklessly. “Callers reported that the vehicle was traveling at high rates of speed, passing other cars, running red lights, and doing donuts in the middle of the roadway,” Heather Hamel, a public information officer for the Manchester Police Department, said. “Complaints about the driving came in from Elm Street, South Willow Street, and other parts of the city.”

Video circulating on social media shows the same vehicle doing “donuts" and “burnouts” in the area of Elm Street and Mechanic Street shortly before the incident.

“A short pursuit ensued", Hamel said, “which was called off due to concerns for the public’s safety based on the driver's continued reckless driving.

Another officer found the car in a parking lot on Maple Street with Waleed Al Thuwayni, 18, of Manchester behind the wheel. The location of the shooting is less than half a block from Manchester Police Headquarters and is near the Sweeney Post VFW and the parking lot of the Letter Carriers Union.

As the officer approached the car, Thuwayni was accused of pulling out what appeared to be a black handgun and pointing it at the officer. The officer then fired his gun, hitting Thuwayni.

“Officers immediately provided medical care to Mr. Al Thuwayni, including aid rendered by Manchester Police Tactical Medics, who arrived on the scene immediately,” Hamel added. “American Medical Response transported Mr. Al Thuwayni to a local hospital for treatment.”

Thuwayni was arrested on reckless conduct-deadly weapon and criminal threatening-deadly weapon charges, both felonies, as well as a disobeying an officer charge at the hospital. He remains hospitalized, due to injuries caused by a single gunshot and according to authorities is in stable condition and the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

The Manchester Police dispatch log indicates an entry that says “Shot Spotter” which is a new system to identify gunfire in certain areas of the city.

New Hampshire State Police Major Crime Unit was at the scene for several hours documenting the incident, taking measurements, and photographing the scene. Investigators utilized a Faro system at the scene of incidents creating millions of images that offer investigators three-dimensional images for the investigation.

A dark Nissan Nissan 350Z convertible that had the top down with the New Hampshire vanity plate “LAMAFIA” and a handicapped placard could be seen surrounded by crime scene tape in the parking lot. Several evidence markers and medical equipment bags can be seen on the ground on the driver’s side of the car where state police investigators were working.

Updates will be provided as additional information is released.