The Maine Attorney General’s Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Presque Isle.
A local police officer shot and wounded Derek J. Sam, 29, of Presque Isle after Sam approached him wielding a knife Saturday evening, Presque Island police said in a news release.
The incident began at 5:54 p.m. when police received reports about a man acting suspiciously near the McDonald’s restaurant on Main Street. The caller told police that the man appeared to be bleeding.
Officer Lucas Hafford responded and made contact with Sam in a parking lot near 631 Main St.
When Hafford ordered Sam to put down a knife he was holding, Sam refused to comply. Hafford used his Taser in an effort to prevent him from approaching him, but the device failed to stop Sam from “aggressively” advancing on the officer, according to news release.
After giving him several more commands to drop the knife, Hafford shot and wounded Sam, police said. Sam was initially taken to The Aroostook Medical Center for treatment before being flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
Sam’s condition was not available Sunday night.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
