14-04-2025
NH police: Trooper who shot woman in Dover believed she had gun
DOVER — New Hampshire State Trooper Colin Burgess fired five shots at Moriah Infinjer, 28, after a 100 mph pursuit on the Spaulding Turnpike early Sunday morning, according to an investigation conducted by state police.
Infinjer had exited her vehicle and assumed a "shooter's stance" and with a dark object in her hands, according to an affidavit filed in court by State Trooper Tyler Dodds. He alleges Infinjer shouted "No!" when Burgess yelled to her to drop the object. Burgess believed the object was a gun, according to Dodds' affidavit, and fired five times at Infinjer after she pointed it at him. She was struck at least once in the left shoulder, the document states.
Dodds' affidavit does not identify the object Infinjer allegedly pointed at Burgess. New Hampshire State Police did not immediately answer questions Monday about the object. Police also did not confirm if the trooper who shot Infinjer is the same Colin R. Burgess who was among those sworn in as new troopers in December 2024.
Infinjer was transferred from Portsmouth Regional Hospital to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where she was in stable condition Monday, according to Assistant Strafford County Attorney Jessica Survelas.
Dodds and state police detective Sgt. John Kelly spoke to Infinjer while she was in her bed at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, according to the affidavit, informing her of her Miranda rights, the charges against her and the booking, bail and arraignment process. The affidavit notes Infinjer "invoked her right to counsel..."
While declining to speak with police, Infinjer made "several notable spontaneous utterances" during this conversation, according to Dodds. Her statements indicated her actions were intended to provoke police to shoot at her, he wrote. Dodds alleges Infinjer made statements to the effect of "I was trying to die" and "he was supposed to shoot me in the head."
According to the court, Infinjer is being represented by the New Hampshire public defender's office, but no specific attorney has yet been assigned to her case.
Infinjer, 28, was arraigned by telephone Monday at Dover District Court, charged with reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, a Class B felony, three misdemeanor B charges of disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest or detention, and criminal threatening by conduct, as well as a violation-level charge of reckless operation.
Survelas said Infinjer received a bail order to be held in preventive detention and she's scheduled for a probable cause hearing on April 23 at 1 p.m.
The affidavit states police attempted to stop Infinjer at about 1:07 a.m. and she sped away at 107 mph in a gold 2011 Chevrolet Traverse SUV, and she was stopped by spike strips placed by police before the confrontation with Burgess.
No law enforcement officers were physically injured in the incident, according to state Attorney General John Formella.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: NH police: Trooper who shot woman in Dover believed she had gun
