Probe into ‘death by cop’ continues

HARMONY – The Attorney General’s Office is continuing its investigation into a Feb. 16 shooting being dubbed a “death by cop” or “suicide by cop.” Three officers shot and killed a 21-year-old armed local man.

“The way these things work is our investigation division will gather the facts, do the internal interviews and … then bring the briefing to me, probably within two or three weeks, sometimes longer,” William Stokes, deputy Attorney General and criminal division chief, said Monday. “Then we make a presentation to the Attorney General [Steven Rowe]. He reviews all these things.”

It’s not known which of three bullets – one fired by a state trooper and two others by Somerset County Sheriff’s Department deputies – actually killed Daniel McDowell as he pointed a loaded shotgun at them.

Some neighbors and acquaintances said they believe McDowell was seeking his own death. He had attempted suicide by a drug overdose earlier this year, according to officials.

The initial emergency call to the sheriff’s department came from a man who claimed he had killed one person and kidnapped two others. When officers arrived, they found an armed McDowell standing by his vehicle in the middle of South Road near its intersection with Lincoln Corner Road.

Trooper Bernard Brunette and Deputies Ritchie Putnam and Michael Ross reportedly fired shots at McDowell when he raised his weapon in the officers’ direction.

The AG’s office investigates all officer-related shootings, Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine State Police, said Monday night. All three officers are on administrative leave with pay pending completion of the investigation.

BDN reporter Sharon Mack and BDN photographer Kevin Bennett contributed to this report.