Explosions and gunfire rock Maine town as police shoot gunman after hours-long manhunt

US News

From Lauren Elkies Schram

In the early hours of Saturday morning, gunfire and explosions occurred in a central Maine town, leading to a wild shootout between a gunman and police officers that ended with the gunman’s death.

A woman in Auburn, Maine, called 911 at 12:57 a.m. to report that her partner was arguing with a gunman – later identified as 43-year-old Leein Hinkley – who was trying to break into her home, Assistant Chief Timothy A. Cougle of the Auburn Police Department said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

While she was on the phone, gunshots could be heard in the background. By the time police arrived, she had already fled, but her house was engulfed in flames, Cougle said.

Hinkley shot at police when they arrived and yelled at them from inside the woman’s home. Minutes later, he shot at police again, Cougle said.

At around 1:30 a.m., police discovered that the fire had spread to a neighboring house. Both houses were destroyed, officials said.

The shooter then fled, hid in a neighboring garage and then climbed onto the roof of another house.

According to Col. William Ross of the Maine State Police, police shot Hinkley at 5:36 a.m. as he was waving his gun.

Hinkley had a criminal history, Ross said. He had been out on bail since June 12 after being held on parole violations, including a 2011 domestic violence conviction, aggravated assault and a recent domestic violence arrest.

Homes in the immediate area were evacuated and Central Maine Power shut off power.

During the brawl, authorities temporarily imposed a curfew on the community.

The police are looking for the man who was the victim of the robbery.

One police officer was treated for minor injuries and released.

Cougle said there were “many unanswered questions” and the investigation was only just beginning.

The Maine Attorney General’s Office will also investigate the use of deadly force.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fires, Newscenter Maine reported.

“It was an intense and tragic morning here in Auburn,” Cougle said at the press conference.

“Incidents like the one we experienced today are extremely frightening for our community, especially in light of the events of last October.”

Auburn is just a mile down the road from Lewiston, where Robert Card shot and killed 18 people on October 25 in the state’s deadliest mass murder.