Father: Police say Lebanon shooting was self-defense

LEBANON – A man who fatally shot another man who showed up on his property has not been charged because investigators believe it was self-defense, the man’s father said.

Paul Colarossi, 35, of Wells was shot in the head by Eugene Sperry, 42, early Thursday. Colarossi’s estranged girlfriend and their daughter had been staying with Sperry for several weeks, police said.

No charges will be filed until the investigation is complete, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Public Safety Department.

Sperry’s father, Elton Sperry, said his son was told by detectives he would not be charged because the shooting was in self-defense.

“They came in here and investigated the whole place today, but they were talking to my boy and said it was done in self-defense,” said Elton Sperry, whose home is off the same driveway as his son’s.

Eugene Sperry said he considered Paul Colarossi a friend. But when Colarossi showed up at Sperry’s home Wednesday night he was not welcome. “I said, ‘Paul, just leave,'” said Sperry.

Minutes later, Colarossi lay dead on the floor of Sperry’s mobile home after Sperry shot him with a rifle, police say.

Colarossi arrived at the home and demanded to be let in. Sperry allowed him to enter and an argument ensued, said Maine State Police Sgt. Matthew Stewart. Police said Sperry then shot Colarossi, who was not armed.

Sperry had opened his home to Colarossi’s girlfriend, Caren Polk, 41, and their son, Luke, 3.

Sperry said the mother and child had been staying with him because his friend had been mistreating her. Polk had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against Colarossi on Aug. 18, police said.

McCausland said it will be up to the Attorney General’s Office to decide whether to press charges. He said he did not expect a decision until next week.