Saco shooting suspects remain at large

The Saco Police Department has lifted a temporary “shelter-in-place” order that was issued earlyFriday morning after a reported shooting incident that happened near thecorner of Main andElm streets in Saco.

As of 8 p.m., Friday, the suspects who were involved in the shooting incident have not yet beenapprehended.

In a statement issued Friday evening, police described the situation as an ongoing“activeinvestigation.” Police are asking members of the public to remain vigilant and reportanysuspicious activity to the Saco Police Department.

What happened earlier today?

According to a statement from the Saco Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunshotsin downtown Saco just before noon on February 9.

Witnesses told police that the shooting took place between two vehicles, a red Dodge Charger and agray Honda HRV, near the intersection of Elm and Temple streets.

Police say the vehicles then moved toward the intersection of North and Elm streets, where a collisionoccurred. The Honda HRV, which was involved in the shooting, crashed into another vehicle inthe intersection. The force of the crash pushed the vehicles into an Old Orchard Beach school busstopped at the intersection.

No students on the bus reported being injured in the crash, according to police.

Following the collision, four men described as Hispanic males ran away from the scene. Evidence at the scene indicates that at least one person, wearing all dark clothing, who fled from the crash scene,had been shot in the right arm, police said.

A firearm was observed in the back seat of the Honda HRV. This vehicle has been towed and securedin the furtherance of the investigation.

During a press conference earlier today, Police Chief Jack Clements told reporters that the gun in thevehicle was a “semi-automatic” handgun.

Police, including mutual aid from local and regional agencies, tactical units, K9 units, and droneoperators, are continue to search and clear areas where potential sightings of the suspects werereported.

The red Dodge Charger was found outside the city of Saco later in the evening and is being towed andsecured as the investigation continues.

As of press time, it remains unclear about where exactly the vehicle was found.

As a precaution, all Saco schools, including Thornton Academy and Thornton Academy Middle School, were locked down due to proximity to the incidents.

Students were later released under police supervision.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the suspects, the shooting, or the vehicleaccidents to please contact the Saco Police Department atSacoPD@sacomaine.orgor by calling 207-284- 4535.

Additionally, crime tips may be submittedatwww.sacomaine.org/departments/police_department/crime_tip_form.php.

During the earlier press conference, Clements told reporters he does not believe that there is anyconnection between this incident and a previous shooting several weeks ago on Temple Street.

The Friday incident triggered a massive law enforcement response, includingmembersof theMaineState Police tactical squad, the U.S. Marshall’s Office andneighboring lawenforcementagencies, including the Biddeford Police Department,the Old Orchard BeachPoliceDepartment,the Kennebunk PoliceDepartment, the Wells Police Department, theScarboroughPolice Department,the York County Sherriff’s Department and the CumberlandCountySherriff’s Department.

“Right now our thoughts are with our brave first responders who are handling this situation,” said SacoMayor Jodi MacPhail in a written statement.

Saco Bay News will continue to monitor and update this story as more informationbecomes available.

Randy Seaver can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com.