PORTLAND, Maine — A late-night pursuit through Portland ended in a deadly police shooting Thursday after officers fatally shot 37-year-old Jacob Hastings at the Casco Bay Lines terminal, authorities said.
The incident unfolded after a series of reports involving gunfire, an allegedly armed man, stolen vehicles and a police pursuit through the city.
Police respond to reports of gunfire
According to Portland police, the incident began at approximately 9:32 p.m. Thursday, August 27, when the Portland Regional Communications Center received reports of shots fired near Spring Street and Oak Street.
Officers responded to the area but did not immediately locate anyone connected to the reports.
Shortly afterward, dispatchers received another call involving a man reportedly armed with a firearm who was allegedly threatening employees at Nova Seafood on Commercial Street.
Police later identified the man as Hastings.
Suspect allegedly flees in stolen pickup
Before officers arrived at the seafood business, Hastings allegedly fled in a stolen pickup truck.
Police subsequently received additional reports involving crashes and vehicles allegedly being taken at gunpoint.
Officers eventually located Hastings on Congress Street and began pursuing the vehicle.
The pursuit continued down Franklin Arterial before Hastings drove toward the Casco Bay Lines terminal at 56 Commercial Street.
Chase ends at Casco Bay Lines
According to police, the vehicle crashed as it entered the Casco Bay Lines property and became disabled.
Hastings then allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
Officers pursued him into the outdoor ferry terminal while repeatedly issuing commands, according to the Portland Police Department.
Police said Hastings failed to comply with the commands and then reached toward his waistband and presented his hands in the direction of officers as though he had a firearm.
Three Portland officers subsequently opened fire.
Hastings was struck and died at the scene despite emergency medical efforts.
Firearm recovered
Police said a firearm was later recovered from one of the stolen vehicles involved in the incident.
Authorities have not indicated in the initial reports whether Hastings was holding a firearm when officers shot him. That distinction is expected to be examined as part of the investigation into the officers’ use of deadly force.
Three officers placed on administrative leave
Three Portland police officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.
They were identified as Anthony George, Jordin Jackson and Greg Ishihara.
Police said administrative leave is standard procedure following an officer-involved deadly-force incident.
The officers’ actions will now be independently examined as investigators determine whether the use of deadly force complied with Maine law and department procedures.
Maine Attorney General investigating
The Office of the Maine Attorney General is investigating the circumstances surrounding the police shooting.
Such investigations are conducted following deadly-force incidents involving law enforcement officers in Maine.
The Attorney General’s investigation is separate from the police department’s initial account of the events leading up to the shooting and will focus on the circumstances surrounding the officers’ use of deadly force.
Authorities have indicated that additional questions about the shooting should be directed to the Attorney General’s Office while that investigation proceeds.
Investigation remains active
Investigators are expected to examine evidence from multiple locations, including the areas where the initial gunfire was reported, the commercial district, the pursuit route and the Casco Bay Lines terminal.
Witness accounts, surveillance footage, physical evidence and the recovered firearm could all play a role in reconstructing the events.
The investigation will also seek to establish a precise timeline of Hastings’ movements and the actions of officers immediately before the shooting.
Anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or has information that could assist investigators is being asked to contact investigators at 207-874-8575.
Developing investigation
The deadly encounter has left Hastings dead and three Portland officers on administrative leave while the Attorney General’s Office examines the shooting.
For now, authorities have released an initial account of the confrontation but have not provided a complete investigative reconstruction.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged vehicle thefts, the pursuit and Hastings’ final confrontation with officers remain under investigation.
This is a developing story. Additional information is expected as the Maine Attorney General’s investigation and related inquiries continue.
