Machete-Wielding Man Shot by Police on Merrymeeting Bridge in Topsham

A man armed with a machete was shot and tased by police early Tuesday morning on the Merrymeeting Bridge in Topsham.

According to Topsham Police, shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday the Sagadahoc Regional Communications Center received a call from 33-year-old Joseph Mendez who “[thanked] them for their service,” and informed the dispatcher “that they would be finding him soon.”

The dispatcher was able to locate Mendez, and Topsham Police Officers Mathew Bowers and Frasier Vachon responded to Route 196 on the Merrymeeting Bridge in Topsham.

At the scene, the two officers attempted to communicate with Mendez and commanded him to drop a machete he was holding, police said.

Police say Mendez did not respond to the officers’ commands and was shot as he advanced towards the officers while brandishing the machete. He was also tased after he continued to resist and failed to follow commands.

Mendez was eventually taken into custody by Brunswick and Topsham Police. He was taken to Mid-Coast Hospital and then transported to Maine Medical for further treatment. Police say Mendez is expected to survive his injuries.

Topsham Police Officers Bowers and Vachon have both been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol for Maine police departments in cases of use of deadly force.

The Maine Officer of the Attorney General will be investigating the incident to determine whether the use of deadly force by the officers was justified.

Any underlying criminal charges against Mendez will be investigated by the Topsham Police Department’s Criminal Division.