Maine State Police say they shot and killed a knife-wielding man in the small Penobscot County town of Chester.
Police say a standoff had developed with 34 year old Shad Gerken of Woodville around 10 AM Saturday which ended in Gerken's death just before 6 PM the same day.
"State Police negotiators attempted to talk to him throughout the afternoon to no avail," says Department of Public Safety Spokesperson, Steve McCausland, "The incident ended when Gerken was shot by three members of the State Police tactical team."
McCausland would not comment further on the circumstances that led to Gerken's death or why troopers chose to open fire.
Penobscot County police had responded to a resident's call earlier in the day complaining that a man was walking up Route 116 in Chester with a knife in his hand. Penobscot County Sheriff Glen Ross said the man's behavior was described as erratic.
Involved in the shooting were tactical team commander Sgt. Nicholas Grass; trooper Sgt. Donald Shead , and Det. Gregory Mitchell.
At one point, according to McCausland, a game warden, Sgt. Ron Dunham, attempted to take Gerken into custody and suffered a superficial cut to the hand.
An autopsy will likely be carried out on Gerken. The Maine Attorney General's office is investigating the incident.
