NEWPORT, New Hampshire — Jack Steele, a 27-year-old Newport man, has been identified as the person found dead following a shooting at a Putnam Road residence that also left a 23-year-old woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Newport Police said officers responded to the residence on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, after receiving a report at approximately 6:47 p.m. that someone had been shot.
Emergency responders found the injured woman in the area and later discovered Steele dead inside the residence. Police subsequently identified the woman as Steele’s significant other but have withheld her name.
The woman was transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Police said Wednesday that she remained in stable condition while receiving treatment for multiple gunshot wounds.
What Happened in the Putnam Road Shooting?
Newport Police initially released limited information while investigators worked to establish what happened inside the Putnam Road home.
Authorities said responding officers located an adult woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds before entering the residence and finding an adult man deceased.
Police later identified the man as Jack Steele, 27, of Newport.
According to Newport Police Chief Alex Lee, evidence gathered so far indicates the incident involved Steele and his 23-year-old romantic partner.
Police currently believe Steele shot the woman multiple times before dying by suicide. Chief Lee stressed, however, that investigators would not make a final determination about the entire sequence of events until the investigation is complete.
Authorities have described the incident as a domestic situation and said current evidence does not suggest anyone else was involved.
Jack Steele’s Death Ruled Suicide
The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner examined Steele following his death.
Police announced Wednesday that the medical examiner determined Steele died from a gunshot injury and ruled the manner of death a suicide.
That finding addresses how Steele died but does not conclude the broader police investigation into the shooting of his partner.
Investigators are continuing interviews and gathering information about the circumstances and history leading up to the incident.
Woman Remains Hospitalized After Multiple Gunshot Wounds
The 23-year-old woman survived the shooting and was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Initial police information described her condition as critical but stable Tuesday night. By Wednesday, authorities said she remained hospitalized in stable condition while being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.
Her identity has not been publicly released.
Because the investigation involves a domestic relationship and the surviving victim has not been identified by authorities, unverified names circulating online should not be published as fact.
Police Say There Is No Threat to the Newport Community
Following the initial emergency response, Newport Police said all individuals believed to be involved had been identified and that there was no threat to the public.
The Newport School District was also notified Tuesday night. Schools were scheduled to operate normally Wednesday.
Several agencies assisted Newport Police during the response and investigation, including the Claremont Police Department, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, New Hampshire State Police Troop C and the State Police Major Crimes Unit.
Jack Steele Obituary and Funeral Information
As of September 23, a verified funeral-home obituary announcing services for the 27-year-old Jack Steele involved in the Newport shooting had not been located in the reliable public sources reviewed for this report.
There are numerous obituary records online for other people named Jack Steele, making it particularly important not to attribute unrelated family, employment or funeral information to the Newport resident.
Confirmed visitation, funeral, burial or celebration-of-life arrangements should therefore come directly from Steele’s family or an authorized funeral provider.
Putnam Road Shooting Investigation Remains Active
Newport Police continue to investigate what occurred before officers were called to the residence.
Chief Lee told the Valley News that investigators intend to conduct additional interviews to obtain more context and history surrounding the incident.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Newport Police Department at 603-863-3232.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Newport Shooting
Who was found dead after the Putnam Road shooting?
Police identified the deceased man as Jack Steele, 27, of Newport, New Hampshire.
Was another person injured?
Yes. A 23-year-old woman identified by police as Steele’s significant other suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalized.
What was Jack Steele’s cause and manner of death?
The New Hampshire medical examiner determined that Steele died from a gunshot injury and ruled his death a suicide.
Has police confirmed what happened?
Police currently believe Steele shot his partner multiple times before dying by suicide, but investigators say they will not make a final determination about the full incident until their investigation is complete.
Is there a threat to the public?
Police have said there is no continuing threat to the public and that they believe only the two residents were involved.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information released by Newport Police, the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and established local news organizations as of September 23, 2026. Police currently believe Jack Steele shot his 23-year-old partner before dying by suicide, but authorities have emphasized that the investigation into the full circumstances remains ongoing. No unverified funeral or personal information has been presented as fact.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress in the United States, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Anyone experiencing domestic violence or who feels unsafe at home can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).