SCARBOROUGH – Scarborough police say it’s unlikely charges will be filed against the man who accidentally shot a woman in the face on Running Hill Road in Scarborough on Nov. 14, while attempting to break up a fight in his front yard.

According to police department spokesman Detective-Sergeant Rick Rouse, the incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. when two men were arguing over a truck in the driveway of a home at 38 Running Hill Road. Rouse said it is still unclear exactly what the squabble was about, but, he said, it appeared one man had borrowed the truck from the other and, instead of returning it, left it at the Running Hill Road home of a third party.

The homeowner knew the combatants, Rouse said, but was not aware who was involved when he heard the fight break out in his yard. Because the police report from the incident is not yet complete, Rouse did not immediately have available the names of the two men who were fighting, and, of the two women accompanying them, had only the name of the victim who was shot. He also was uncertain of the make and model of the disputed truck, although he did say, “it appears to have been an older model.”

Police are declining to release the name of the homeowner at this time, as no charges have been filed. According to town assessing records, Harold and Riva Elliot have owned the property since 2005.

“It appears that four individuals were in the driveway and the two males got into a fight, unbeknownst to the owner,” said Rouse. “The owner didn’t have any idea what was going on, but apparently from his front door he heard one guy say, ‘I’m going to kill you.’

“So, he went back into the house to get a .22 pistol and as he was coming out the door trying to load it, he kind of bobbled it and accidentally pulled the trigger,” said Rouse.

The bullet struck Carol Dorney, 47, of Portland, who was transported to Maine Medical Center where she reportedly remains in intensive care.

“The entry was through the mouth,” said Rouse, “So, it seems like she should be doing all right in the long run.”

Police hope to interview Dorney over the weekend. Rouse said she is alert and able to respond to questions by nodding, but cannot speak at the moment because of her injury and a breathing tube she is currently wearing.

Rouse said charges are not likely to be filed against the homeowner, although the case will be referred to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.

“We do that if there’s anything that’s even close to being questionable,” said Rouse. “It would be up to them to file charges. It doesn’t appear at this point that there’s anything that we’re going to charge the homeowner with. But, he’s lived in that location for a long time, so it’s not like he’s going to run off, so we could charge him if needed.

“The important thing is, it’s not like he’s a dangerous individual,” said Rouse. “It’s just a case of someone fearing for the safety of his home, and for others, and himself, really, and then a lot of things just going wrong.”

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