ROCHESTER — A man is dead and his wife seriously injured following an apparent murder-suicide attempt on Sunrise Drive Tuesday morning, according to Police Chief Paul Toussaint.

Toussaint said Rochester police received a 911 call at 6:39 a.m. Tuesday from a resident on Sunrise Drive. The caller indicated she had been shot by her husband and that her husband had shot and killed himself, the chief said.

Rochester police officers, firefighters and paramedics responded to the caller’s address and found a wounded 45-year-old woman, Kristine Halsey, and a deceased 47-year-old man, Brian Halsey, according to Toussaint.

Kristine Halsey was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Additional information about her condition wasn't immediately available Tuesday.

While Rochester police are investigating the shooting as a potential murder-suicide attempt during an alleged domestic violence incident, Toussaint said, the medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

A Rochester Crime Scene Unit van was parked in the driveway of the gray two-story house owned by the Halseys at 2 Sunrise Drive Tuesday morning. The property was surrounded by police tape.

A medical examiner wearing coverings over his footwear and several Rochester Police Department personnel were seen investigating at the home.

Two civilian vehicles, a bicycle and a basketball hoop were visible in the driveway. Various Christmas decorations were also visible on the home's lawn, including three wire reindeer, a deflated Santa and a deflated penguin. The front storm door was seen blowing in the wind under the home’s white icicle lights.

No children or other people were present in the home at the time of the shooting, Toussaint said.

Mark Phalen, who has lived on the dead-end Sunrise Drive for 15 years, said Brian Halsey “seemed like a decent guy” and that he and Kristine seemed close.



Other neighbors said they were inside their homes or taking out their trash Tuesday morning when the street was flooded by flashing blue police lights in the moments after the police responded.



Pamela Andrews, who lives a few houses down from the Halseys, described it as a sad situation and said she grieves for the family.



“It’s heartbreaking at this time of year — at any time of year,” said Andrews, who said she didn’t know the Halseys.

Family members were notified of the incident prior to the public release of information, according to Toussaint.

If you need help



Haven has trained confidential advocates available. The 24-hour hotline is (603) 994-SAFE (7233) and walk-in services are offered weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 20 International Drive, Suite 300 in Portsmouth and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester. Haven is the violence prevention and support services crisis center for domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, serving southeastern New Hampshire.