Manchester Resident Charged with Attempted Murder of Federal Officer After Border Shooting

A Manchester, New Hampshire man has been charged with attempted murder of a federal officer after a shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the Canadian border, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

The case has raised questions about what led to the confrontation, and why a routine encounter escalated into gunfire early Sunday in rural northern New Hampshire.

According to a Department of Justice complaint, Blu Zeke Daly, 26, also known as Cullan Zeke Daly, was first encountered by a Border Patrol agent late Saturday evening in Stewartstown, near the Canadian line. The agent asked Daly about his identity, and Daly drove away, prompting a distant pursuit by the agent, prosecutors said.

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Shortly after midnight on Feb. 22, Daly reached the closed Pittsburg Port of Entry on the border, and the gate was locked. When the agent activated his emergency lights and exited his vehicle, Daly began to turn, then fired a handgun at the agent, officials said. The agent fired back, striking Daly; the agent was not injured. Daly then lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a snowbank. A handgun and ammunition were later recovered at the scene, authorities said.

Daly was taken to a New Hampshire hospital for treatment and remains there under guard. He is charged with one count each of attempted murder of a federal officer and assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon, both carrying up to 20 years in prison and fines if convicted.

“The details contained in the complaint are allegations … the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The FBI is leading the investigation with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire. Officials have not disclosed a motive for the shooting or whether Daly has retained legal counsel, and the case remains pending.

Authorities are expected to release more information as the investigation continues, including potential charges related to possession of firearms or other federal statutes.

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