Deputies justified in shooting at suspect after high-speed Augusta chase, Maine AG says
AUGUSTA, Maine — Two Kennebec County sheriff’s deputies were justified in shooting at Dustin Smith after authorities said he fired at them during a nearly 27-mile high-speed pursuit and later pointed a handgun at them in Augusta, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has determined. The Attorney General's Office said Kennebec County sheriff's deputies Elijah Curtis and Jeffrey Boudreau acted in self-defense when they fired at Smith on Allen Street on Dec. The AG’s report provides new details about what the officers knew before the pursuit and what happened during the chase. Two days before the incident, Augusta police issued an alert to area law enforcement agencies saying Smith was wanted for trafficking in scheduled drugs, illegal possession of a firearm, terrorizing, violation of conditions of release, and assault. Police were warned Smith had two firearms and had made comments to his parents about “suicide by cop,” according to the report.
Scoop News Deskat suspect after high-speed Augusta chase, Maine · Published Updated
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Frey concluded the deputies reasonably believed Smith was going to shoot them when they opened fire. “All the facts and circumstances support the conclusion when the deputies used deadly force against Mr. Smith has since been indicted on charges including two counts of aggravated attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, eluding an officer, terrorizing and criminal speed. The Attorney General's Office said Smith and passenger Kierra Stoddard were taken into custody.
