Authorities have confirmed that the suspected gunman in Friday’s North Windham shooting, James Ford, died from a self-inflicted injury after an hours-long manhunt and community lockdown.
Windham Police and Cumberland County Sheriff’s deputies responded just before 2 p.m. to reports of a shooting on Route 302 in North Windham. One person was shot, and the suspect fled the scene in a silver vehicle, heading toward Raymond.
Police later located what they believe to be the suspect’s vehicle in a Dunkin’ parking lot in Raymond. At the time, officials warned residents from Route 85 in Raymond to Whites Bridge Road in Windham, including surrounding side streets, to shelter in place and secure their homes. Many stores in North Windham went into lockdown.
Gray Fire Rescue issued an update in the evening stating that the suspect had been found and the shelter-in-place order for Gray was lifted. Route 302 in Windham reopened to traffic around 6:30 p.m., though the shelter-in-place in parts of North Windham and Raymond remained active for several more hours while the search continued.
During a press conference, authorities confirmed that James Ford was located deceased from a self-inflicted injury. No further threat to the public remains.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said earlier in the day that the suspect’s movements were uncertain after the initial search perimeter was established. “Because the individual has a firearm, we felt it prudent to put a shelter-in-place warning out,” Joyce explained, noting that the suspect could have moved on foot or obtained a ride before police arrived.
An emergency alert was sent to Mainers’ phones through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS). The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) later clarified that a technical error caused the alert—originally intended for the immediate area—to be sent statewide. “The primary concern is that everyone remains safe,” MEMA stated, adding that they are working with the vendor to correct the issue.
The name of the shooting victim has not yet been released, and the investigation into the circumstances of the shooting remains ongoing.