EXETER, N.H. — A shooting suspect arrested in Exeter, NH around noon Friday is accused of a shooting the previous evening in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Nona M. Basnett, 54, of Sandown, N.H., was tracked to a Chapman Way residence by Haverhill police, who asked Exeter officers for help — and she was taken into custody without incident just 11 minutes later by the U.S. Marshals Service, Haverhill detectives, and Exeter police, according to the Exeter Police Department account reported by Seacoastonline.
TL;DR: Nona M. Basnett, 54, was arrested around noon Oct. 9 at an Exeter, NH home on an “active, extraditable” warrant from Haverhill, MA, where she is wanted on assault to murder (armed), discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession of a large capacity firearm/feeding device. She was charged as a fugitive from justice (a Class B felony) and is held on preventative detention at the Rockingham County Jail ahead of a Tuesday arraignment.
Tracked across state lines in 11 minutes
The arrest unfolded with remarkable speed. Around noon on Oct. 9, Haverhill police contacted the Exeter Police Department to say they had tracked a shooting suspect from the previous evening’s Haverhill shooting to a residence on Chapman Way in Exeter, and requested assistance in locating and apprehending her.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives from the Haverhill Police Department, and Exeter police officers took Basnett into custody without incident about 11 minutes later. She was then transported to the Exeter Police Department, where she was processed and charged.
The Massachusetts charges
Basnett was wanted by the Haverhill Police Department on an arrest warrant listing serious charges: assault to murder, armed; discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building; carrying a loaded firearm without a license; and possession of a large capacity firearm/feeding device, according to an Exeter police press release.
Details of the Haverhill shooting itself — including the victim or victims and the circumstances — have not been publicly released, and Haverhill police are continuing to investigate the underlying case.
What “fugitive from justice” means in New Hampshire
Following her arrest, Basnett was charged in New Hampshire as a fugitive from justice, a Class B felony. The charge is the standard mechanism by which a person arrested in one state on an active, extraditable warrant from another state is held while the demanding state pursues extradition.
In a press release, Exeter police said the department “appreciates the coordinated efforts of the United States Marshals Service and the Haverhill Police Department and was happy to assist with this arrest.”
Held on preventative detention; arraignment Tuesday
Basnett was held on preventative detention and transported to the Rockingham County Jail. She is scheduled to be arraigned at the 10th Circuit Court in Brentwood on Tuesday, Oct. 13, where a judge will address the fugitive charge and the question of extradition to Massachusetts.
As with every criminal case, Basnett is presumed innocent of the underlying charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nona M. Basnett?
Nona M. Basnett, 54, of Sandown, New Hampshire, was arrested Oct. 9, 2026, at a home in Exeter, N.H. She is wanted by the Haverhill, Massachusetts, Police Department in connection with a shooting there the previous evening.
What is she accused of in Massachusetts?
Haverhill police want her on charges of assault to murder (armed), discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession of a large capacity firearm/feeding device.
Where was she arrested?
At a residence on Chapman Way in Exeter, New Hampshire, around noon on Oct. 9 — about 11 minutes after Haverhill police asked Exeter police for help locating her.
Who made the arrest?
Members of the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives from the Haverhill Police Department, and Exeter police officers. The arrest was made without incident.
What does ‘fugitive from justice’ mean?
It is the charge used when a person is arrested in one state on an active, extraditable warrant from another state. In New Hampshire it is a Class B felony, and it allows the person to be held while the demanding state pursues extradition.
Where is she being held now?
Basnett was held on preventative detention and transported to the Rockingham County Jail.
When is her arraignment?
She is scheduled to be arraigned at the 10th Circuit Court in Brentwood, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Has she been convicted of the shooting?
No. These are accusations and charges, not convictions. Basnett is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Featured image: New Hampshire State Police cruiser (source).
