Authorities have identified the man suspected of shooting two people in Hampton, New Hampshire, before turning the gun on himself as Tyshawn Cooper, a 21-year-old active-duty member of the United States Navy.
The shooting happened in the early morning hours of July 5, 2026, in the area of Ocean Boulevard in Hampton.
Police and state investigators responded to reports of gunfire just before 1:20 a.m. and found a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims remain hospitalized as they continue treatment for their injuries.
Officers located Cooper a short time later near the intersection of P Street and Ashworth Avenue, where he matched the description of the suspect.
According to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Cooper raised a handgun during the encounter with police, and he shot himself in the head as an officer simultaneously fired a single shot.
Who Was Tyshawn Cooper
Cooper held the rank of Information Systems Technician Submarine Network Second Class in the Navy and was assigned to the USS Hampton, a submarine currently undergoing maintenance at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He had been residing in New Hampshire because of that military assignment.
Officials from the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Hampton Police Department confirmed his identity in a joint statement released on July 6. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is now working alongside state investigators as both agencies conduct their own reviews of what led to the shooting.
Investigators have not yet released a motive or additional details about what happened before officers arrived, and the case remains under active investigation. Officials said more information would be shared as it becomes available while the investigative process continues.
The shooting occurred during one of the busiest weekends of the summer season at Hampton Beach, a popular tourist destination along the New Hampshire coast. Local business owners in the area said they hoped the incident would not keep visitors away from the beach in the weeks ahead, noting that the area remained busy and safe in the hours before the shooting took place.
As of this report, no further information has been released about a possible motive, and both surviving victims remain in the hospital. The investigation is being handled jointly by state and military authorities, given Cooper’s status as an active-duty service member.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the New Hampshire State Police or the Hampton Police Department.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text at any time.
