Another late-night shooting has rattled a Lewiston neighborhood after gunfire struck an occupied apartment building on Pierce Street, underscoring the city’s continuing struggle with violent crime.
According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers responded at approximately 11:19 p.m. Thursday to multiple reports of shots fired in the Blake Street area. As officers investigated, they determined that an apartment building at 119 Pierce Street had been struck by gunfire.
Police said at least one round penetrated the exterior wall of the building and entered a second-floor apartment. Fortunately, no one inside the residence was injured, and all occupants were reported safe.
Investigators recovered shell casings and a projectile from the scene. The evidence has been collected for forensic examination as detectives work to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Lewiston Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which remains active. Authorities have not identified any suspects or released information about a possible motive.
The latest shooting comes as Lewiston continues to battle a troubling pattern of gun violence that has kept detectives and patrol officers busy throughout the past year. The city has experienced a series of shootings involving both juveniles and adults, with several incidents occurring in or around the downtown neighborhood. Earlier this year, five juveniles were charged following a retaliatory shooting on Pierce Street, while other recent investigations have involved teenagers allegedly carrying loaded handguns and, in one case, a juvenile charged in connection with a conspiracy to commit murder.
Lewiston police have responded by increasing targeted enforcement efforts, while Lewiston city councilors have discussed asking Gov. Janet Mills to deploy the National Guard, and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) has offered to request assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Mayor Sheline and other city councilors have stayed very quiet about the recent shootings and offered no guidance after a recent public forum on the topic.
Thursday night’s incident serves as another reminder that stray gunfire can place innocent residents at risk. In this case, a single bullet entered an occupied apartment where people were inside, narrowly avoiding what could have been a far more tragic outcome.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Dominic Cloutier at 207-513-3001, extension 3352. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Lewiston Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 207-513-3194.
The Maine Wire will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
