LEWISTON, Maine — A large-scale police search for an Auburn man believed to be armed and in crisis triggered lockdowns Thursday across parts of Lewiston and Auburn, including near St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, before authorities later said no firearm had been observed by family members or other witnesses and that no threats had been made against the public.
According to an Auburn Police Department crime bulletin, authorities were searching for Ryan Lizotte, 34, of 514 Turner Street in Auburn, after his wife reported him missing at approximately 4:00 a.m. on April 16. Police said Lizotte had allegedly grabbed a gun and left the residence on foot, heading down Turner Street toward Union Street.
The bulletin stated that Lizotte’s wife reported receiving a text message from him that read, “I can’t do it, Laurisa. I bought a gun, and I’m going to use it.” Police also said his phone was pinged, with the most recent location placing him within 500 meters of Union Street in Lewiston. He was described as wearing all dark or black clothing and carrying a large backpack.
Auburn police said Lizotte was on six sets of bail conditions, was on probation, and had a court-ordered requirement to report to rehab Thursday at 10:00 a.m. His wife also reportedly told police he had been under the influence of drugs the night before and was refusing to attend rehab. The department further warned officers to use extreme caution, stating that Lizotte was said to be armed with a firearm and suicidal. The bulletin also described him as having an extensive criminal history, including robbery, assault, domestic violence assault, and multiple drug charges.
The incident escalated later in the day when the Lewiston Police Department responded at approximately 3:00 p.m. to an incident at St. Mary’s Hospital tied to the ongoing Auburn investigation. Lewiston police said the individual being sought had fled from family members and was believed to be armed with a firearm.
Because of the hospital’s proximity to Lewiston Middle School, Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais made the decision to place the school in lockdown for students attending after-school activities. Bates College and other organizations in the area also initiated lockdown procedures out of what police described as an abundance of caution.
In a message sent at 8:09 p.m., Langlais said school officials were thanking everyone for their cooperation during the day as administrators took what he called appropriate precautionary steps. He said campus activities were closed for the evening and that officials expected to have school on Friday, while noting that families would receive important confirmed information if necessary and, at a minimum, would receive an update in the morning.
Later Thursday, Lewiston police issued an update that appeared to scale back some of the initial alarm surrounding the search. The department said that during the investigation, officers had determined that no firearm was observed by family members or any other witnesses. Police also said the individual had made no threats to harm members of the public.
Even so, Lewiston police said officers would remain in the area and that the investigation remained active.
The Auburn bulletin stated that there is a protective custody warrant for Lizotte but noted that it would not show up in NCIC. Police asked that anyone who locates him contact the Auburn Police Department.
The incident set off a sweeping public safety response across the Lewiston-Auburn area, shutting down evening activities and prompting schools, hospitals, and nearby institutions to take immediate action. By Thursday night, however, police were emphasizing that no gun had been seen and that no public threats had been made, even as the search continued.
This lock down crap is getting out of hand.