Two people were seriously hurt early Monday morning in a shooting in the Old Port area of Portland, Maine, according to police.
Two Portland officers were patrolling when they heard gunshots ring out around 1 a.m. The officers found a man on Wharf Street, near Union Street, who had been shot multiple times, a news release from the police department said. Police also found a woman who had been shot multiple times at the corner of Fore and Union streets, officers said. Police believe she was shot on Wharf Street and walked to that intersection before collapsing there.
Both victims were treated at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital for additional care. They were both seriously injured.
Police said Fore, Union and Wharf streets were closed down overnight while investigators searched for evidence in the area.
Residents said Monday that they are concerned about the recent uptick in gun violence in Maine's largest city.
“I even have people on my tours telling me they saw stuff on the news,” said Timothy Goldkin, a tour guide and artist who was leading a group of visitors down Wharf Street on Monday. “That makes me concerned."
For other city residents like Lori Alexander, the jump in shootings is deterring her from leaving her condo alone after dark.
“I’m not going outside at night without my husband and staying very close to home for a while," she said. "I don’t feel as safe as I did."
In response to the recent shootings, Portland’s police department has said it will scale back overtime officer details in construction zones or for traffic control and redirect those resources toward street patrol.
Portlanders said they are hopeful that plan will deter further violence.
“That is a great relief, especially late at night,” Alexander said. “I’m hoping the police will do more to keep it safe."
Anyone with information on Monday's shooting is urged to contact investigators at 207-874-8575.
