KITTERY, Maine — Three Troy, New Hampshire residents, including an 8-year-old child, have been identified by Maine and New Hampshire authorities after the shooting death of a woman at home in Troy on Thursday, followed by the officer-involved shooting death of her husband on the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95.
Trent Weston, who was 37, is believed by authorities to have murdered his wife, Brittany Weston, 37, at their apartment in Troy on Thursday morning, and to have also murdered their son, Benson Weston, 8. The autopsy for Brittany Weston was conducted by the New Hampshire medical examiner and determined she died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head in a homicide, according to authorities.
Trent Weston was killed by police hours later on the I-95 high-level bridge connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kittery, Maine, after negotiations with police, according to authorities. Benson Weston was found deceased in the car driven by his father, police said. Maine's medical examiner conducted their autopsies, stating both died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The identities of the family members and their causes of death were released Friday by New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella and Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss.
“At this time, all evidence indicates that Mr. Weston is responsible for the deaths of both Brittany and Benson Weston,” Formella’s announcement states. “Further information will be provided if and when it becomes available while protecting the integrity of the investigation.”
Agencies in both states are continuing to investigate the deaths and the officer-involved shooting.
What happened leading up to deaths of family
Police were dispatched to a Troy apartment around 3 a.m. Thursday after Trent Weston called York, Maine police to report he shot his wife, officials said. Upon arrival, police found a deceased woman inside, later identified as Brittany Weston, whose autopsy was conducted Friday by New Hampshire’s associate medical examiner.
The Westons’ deaths remains under investigation by state police in Maine and New Hampshire, while the officer-involved shooting is being reviewed by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
The incident led to the closure of the entire bridge, northbound and southbound, for several hours as investigators sealed off the scene. Residents, commuters and Labor Day weekend visitors were caught in hours of traffic around the neighboring municipalities after being diverted to the Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.
Trent Weston was fatally wounded when Maine State Police Trooper Craig Nilsen and two New Hampshire troopers fired their weapons at him after he "raised a firearm," according to authorities. His body fell off the high-level bridge to the river below, and it was later recovered by the Coast Guard.
All the troopers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave in accordance with standard protocol, pending the investigation into their use of deadly force.
Sixth domestic violence homicide in NH in 2024, official says
Thirteen homicides have occurred in New Hampshire so far this year. Six were related to domestic violence, including the death of Brittany Weston in Troy, while seven have been officer-involved shootings, according to New Hampshire attorney general’s office spokesperson Michael Garrity.
In recent years, New Hampshire has averaged around 20 homicides per year, he added.
The state’s domestic violence statistics from the New Hampshire Office of Victim Witness Assistance do not factor in the justified homicides or officer-involved shootings, according to Garrity.
“Over the last few years, the yearly rate of (domestic violence) homicides has varied. Some years have been as low as 40% and other years as high as 73%,” he said.
Amanda Grady Sexton, director of public affairs for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, has said confidential advocates are available at New Hampshire’s 12 crisis centers 24/7. She said you can call 1-866-644-3574 and don't need to be in crisis to call.
Mental health help is available
The New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association, made up of 10 mental health centers in the state, including the Seacoast Mental Health Center, reacted to the deaths.
Michael Wilson, development director for the Seacoast Mental Health Center, shared its message: “We are profoundly saddened by reports today of shootings in Troy and Portsmouth, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families and to first responders. We don’t have enough information at this time to know whether mental health issues were a factor in this incident. We will await more info from New Hampshire and Maine law enforcement.
“Unfortunately, events like this have become more common than anyone would like. The community mental health centers are ready to assist and provide access to care for those who might need help. If anyone in the community requires mental health assistance or counseling, we are here for you.
Resources to access help can be found at nhcbha.org.
