Man kills acquaintance at house in Anson

ANSON – A man was fatally shot during an altercation at an acquaintance’s house early Monday morning, officials said.

Wayne Crowley, 32, was shot at 1:30 a.m. Monday and was taken to Redington-Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan, said Stephen McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Crowley was later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he died, WCSH-TV reported.

Detectives from the state police and Somerset County Sheriff’s Department were investigating and were in contact with the Attorney General’s Office. No decision was made on whether charges will be filed.

Gary Watland told reporters that he shot Crowley to defend his wife after the three spent Sunday together at the house. Watland said he first fired a warning shot and told Watland to leave, but was later forced to shoot him.

“Once he attacked my wife, I’ve got to protect my family,” he said.