Maine State Police are investigating the Bath shooting; Residents shocked by violence

BATH (WGME) – Maine State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday morning in Bath.

The incident led to shelters being put into operation for hours in north Bath.

“This morning, between six and seven, I heard screaming and a few bangs,” said Brian Bennett, a Bath resident.

Caution tape lines the streets where Crawford Drive meets Newton Road.

State and local law enforcement agencies are working side by side to investigate what state police are calling a shooting.

Neighbors we’ve spoken to say they can’t believe something like this happened so close to our home.

“In this little cul-de-sac, you don’t think about gunshots. Then, about 20 minutes later, my wife ran out and said, “You have to look, there are sirens, there are cops, there are guns.” And when I came out I saw drones flying and snipers lined up “That was it just covered by police and law enforcement,” Bennett said.

After lifting a shelter-in-place closure for two hours, Bath Police Chief Andrew Booth is reassuring neighbors that the community is safe tonight and says incidents like this are rare in Bath.

“Bath is a very close-knit community, something like this doesn’t happen often and when it does it’s shocking. “Today was obviously a surprise and a shock to a lot of people,” Booth said.

But one resident says he fears something like this could happen again.

“With all the mental health issues lately and the possession of guns without prior approval, it concerns me a little,” said local man Dylan Harris.

While the investigation is ongoing, police believe there is no danger to the public.

“I just hope everyone gets answers. I hope that a conclusion will be reached in the coming weeks. I know all the neighbors who looked in this morning and visualized everything, and my condolences go out to them, the family and everyone involved. It’s a tragedy,” Bennett said.