Attorney General says State Trooper Was Justified in Shooting Ellsworth Man

A Maine State Trooper is said to be justified in shooting an Ellsworth man after a 20-hour standoff, according to the Attorney General’s decision. 

On May 31st, 2014 Jeffrey Barnard (50) was in a heated argument with James Thibodeau of North Street over how long Barnard and his wife had been residing in a camper on Thibodeau’s property. Police were called to remove Barnard from the property. First Barnard barricaded himself and his wife inside the camper, then Barnard fired several rounds from a rifle and threw a Molotov cocktail at officers outside his camper. The standoff lasted 20-hours until Barnard was shot and wounded by Trooper Scott Duff during an armed confrontation outside Barnard’s camper on June 1st.

After reviewing the records, the Attorney General determined Trooper Duff was justified in his actions to shoot Barnard, believing he and others were in danger.

Mr. Barnard has an extensive criminal record, which includes convictions for assault on an officer, criminal mischief, criminal threatening, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, violating conditions of release, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Barnard is currently charged with federal offenses related to his possession of a firearm during the Ellsworth incident.