LEWISTON — An Auburn was charged Wednesday for the second time in less than a week in connection with what police say were attempted shootings.
James L. Crump, 41, was charged with attempted elevated aggravated assault, reckless conduct with a firearm and criminal mischief in connection with the incident on Blake Street on July 1. He already was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail on charges stemming from an exchange of gunfire on Bartlett Street on July 8.
In the July 1 incident, police say Crump fired four or five shots at another man near the corner of Blake and Ash streets at 4 a.m. that left bullet holes in the side of an apartment house. The man was not hurt.
A week later, on July 8, police say Crump, known on the street as “Lynx,” fired a .44 caliber handgun at a man in a stairwell at 135½ Bartlett St. Although investigators found blood at the scene, it was believed that no one was seriously hurt.
Crump, formerly of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was charged with attempted elevated aggravated assault in that shooting, as well. The Class B felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Crump, who has denied the charges, has remained jailed on $50,000 bail since he was arrested a few hours after the July 8 shooting.
Also charged in the July 8 gunfight was Quentaris J. Leonard, 33, of 135½ Bartlett St., who was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He has also denied the charge.
Court documents indicate that the shootings may be both gang- and drug-related. Both incidents remained under investigation.
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