Death in Bangor ruled accidental Self-inflicted gunshot killed 27-year-old

BANGOR – Investigators have determined that the self-inflicted gunshot wound that killed a 27-year-old man in a downtown apartment Sunday was accidental.

The conclusion that it was an accidental death came about 5 a.m. Monday – eight hours after gunshots were first reported at the apartment at 92 Columbia St. – as Bangor police detectives conferred with an investigator from the state Medical Examiner’s Office, said Detective Sgt. Mark Hathaway.

Investigators initially termed the death suspicious and Hathaway noted there were several issues of concern that had to be resolved before they could rule it an accident, including that there had been other people in and around the apartment that night.

After extensive review and interviews, investigators are “comfortable that it was an accidental death,” Hathaway said Monday afternoon.

The name of the man was not being released pending notification of family.

The incident was reported at 8:53 p.m. by a neighbor who heard gunshots. Hathaway said the weapon used was a handgun.