Gun used in accidental shooting to be tested

MILLINOCKET – State police firearms experts will be examining a weapon they believe was used in what appeared to be an accidental shooting of an off-duty Windham police officer last week before wrapping up their investigation, their spokesman said Tuesday.

Investigators want to see whether test firings reveal problems with a .357-caliber weapon that could have contributed to the shooting of Matthew Cyr at a family camp near Millinocket Lake on Friday night, said Stephen McCausland, spokes-man for the state Department of Public Safety.

“We have interviewed everyone involved, and this would be part of the investigation,” McCausland said. “We want to see whether there were any particular issues or problems with this firearm.”

Cyr, 36, was inside a tent with a 15-year-old nephew when he was shot in the right leg, McCausland said. Police believe he might have accidentally shot himself.

Relatives took Cyr by boat to a boat landing, where they were met by an ambulance. He was then taken to Millinocket Regional Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. He was later transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where he underwent surgery, McCausland said.

Cyr was in fair condition Tuesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

McCausland said he did not know when the tests would be done or their results compiled. The tests will be done at

the state police crime lab in Augusta.

Cyr is a Millinocket native who has served as a police officer with the Windham Police Department since 1995. According to the department’s Web site, Cyr has been a community services officer since 1998 and one of the department’s bicycle patrol officers. He is recognized as one of the leaders in the development of skateboard parks in New England.

Windham Police Chief Richard B. Lewsen Jr. did not return several messages seeking comment Tuesday.