Maine Man With a Rifle Shot and Killed by Police in Old Orchard

A Limerick man was fatally shot by police after leading a slow speed pursuit in Old Orchard.

Maine State Police Were Alerted By a Woman That the Suspect Was Suicidal

Christopher Harriman, 38, of Limerick was shot and killed by Trooper Ryan Phillips in Old Orchard Beach on Tuesday, July 9th.

The police were first alerted when a woman called 911 just after 6:30 Tuesday night and reported to a dispatcher at the Department of Public Safety Augusta Regional Communications Center that Mr. Harriman had been making suicidal threats for the past hour. She told authorities that he was in a black Escalade at the Kennebunk rest area on the Maine Turnpike, that he was armed with an AR style rifle, and that he was threatening to cause harm to other subjects that she named.

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Harriman Allegedly Threatened Officers With a Rifle During a Pursuit

Maine State Troopers responded to the rest area but Mr. Harriman wasn't there. With help from the female, Troopers were able to find Harriman and a slow speed pursuit ensued, involving members of the Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Maine State Police Departments. At one point, as he was failing to stop for law enforcement, officials say he pointed the rifle out the window towards the officers.

The Incident is Now Being Investigated by the Attorney General's Office

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss, Mr. Harriman was located as his vehicle was stopped in the Shop n' Save parking lot in Old Orchard Beach. Police tried to convince Harriman to surrender as he stood outside his vehicle, but he reached into his vehicle, grabbed his rifle, and chambered a round. At that point, he was shot and killed by Trooper Ryan Phillips.

As is standard protocol in any police-involved shooting, Trooper Phillips has been placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Maine Attorney General's Office.