Armed Standoff in Maine Ends in Fatalities
PORTAGE LAKE, MAINE – A tense standoff between law enforcement and a suspect in Maine ended in tragedy on Tuesday, with the suspect and a police K-9 killed, and an officer injured.
According to officials, the incident began on Monday evening when police responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence in Portage Lake. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Steven Righini, allegedly assaulted a woman and barricaded himself inside the home with their four-week-old
infant.
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As officers attempted to apprehend Righini, he opened fire, shooting Deputy Shane Campbell in the shoulder. Righini then fired at police vehicles, prompting Deputy Reid Clark to return fire.
A standoff ensued, with police attempting to negotiate with Righini for several hours. However, he refused to surrender and attempted to escape in a vehicle, which was disabled by police.
A police K-9, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois named Preacher, was deployed to apprehend Righini. Tragically, Righini shot Preacher in the abdomen, and the dog later succumbed to its injuries.
Righini was subsequently shot by two officers, Troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell, and pronounced dead at the scene. The infant was safely returned to the mother, and Officer Campbell was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The incident is currently under investigation.
