Brewer’s chief of police fatally shot a man Friday morning in an incident that started with a report of an attempted robbery at Walmart.
Police received the complaint from the Brewer Walmart Supercenter at 10:26 a.m. Friday. Store staff said they had tried to detain the alleged robber, but the man brandished a gun and fled to nearby woods, according to Brewer police.
Police Chief Jason Moffit responded to the scene and found the male suspect and issued commands, which the suspect did not obey, according to Brewer police.
According to police, the man appeared to be reaching for a weapon. Moffit shot and killed him. Police have not identified the man.
Green Point Road near the Walmart was closed to traffic Friday morning for more than five hours for reasons the authorities did not immediately disclose.
Maine State Police, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, Holden Police, Brewer Fire Department and at least one ambulance were at the scene throughout Friday.
An ambulance was seen leaving the scene around 11 a.m. without its siren on.
Chief Moffit has been placed on administrative leave as is standard protocol in police-involved shootings. The Maine Office of the Attorney General will be investigating the use of deadly force.
BDN writer Marie Weidmayer contributed reporting.
