‘Do not approach’: Police release photographs of suspect in Maine Mall shooting

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Authorities have released photographs of a suspect in a brazen daytime shooting inside the Maine Mall that sent one person to a local hospital on Wednesday, police said.

Investigators are asking the public to not approach the suspect if you see them.

“Anyone who sees this individual call 911. Do not approach or engage the suspect,” police said in a Facebook post at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday.

Around 8:30 p.m., police said they have not located the suspect following “a methodical search” of the premises. All units have since cleared the mall and all tenants, staff, and visitors were safely evacuated.

Officials say they are “actively following leads” to ID the shooter.

UPDATE ON SHOOTING AT MAINE MALL from Police Chief Dan Ahern: A methodical search of the Maine Mall for the shooting...
Posted by South Portland (Maine) Police Department on Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Photographs released late Wednesday afternoon show a person wearing a gray and black or navy ski jacket, black pants, and a crossbody bag across the chest.

The suspect was seen leaving the Maine Mall through the Food Court entrance/exit, police said.

Maine Mall shooting suspect (South Portland, Maine Police Department Facebook)

Authorities closed the mall following the daytime shooting on Wednesday, police said in an earlier Facebook post.

“The South Portland Police are currently searching the Maine Mall for an individual suspected of shooting another individual this afternoon inside the Maine Mall,” police said in a separate post minutes later, at 4:26 p.m.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the shooting is “an isolated incident,” police said.

“Police do not believe the public is at risk, but they ask members of the public to avoid the area while they conduct the search,” police said.

One victim was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center, police said.

The victim is in surgery and expected to survive, according to a South Portland Police Facebook post.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the mall shooting is urged to contact Detective Lt. Christopher Todd at 207-799-5511, ext. 7448 or email christo@southportland.gov.

You can also leave an anonymous tip for investigators by calling 207-347-4100.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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