Police are asking for the public's help in locating Alexander Goodwin, 18, who is suspected of a shooting in Naples at a Fourth of July gathering on Tuesday.
Police say a male juvenile was wounded by gunfire just after 7 p.m. before a planned July 4 fireworks display in the town of Naples, police said.
The juvenile was sent to Bridgton Hospital and then flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland by LifeFlight with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Police are searching for Goodwin, who lives in Bridgton, who they say fired five shots as the victim and his family were waiting for the fireworks display to start.
Police describe Goodwin as an 18-year-old male, 5’8”, 120 pounds with blue eyes and blond hair, last seen wearing blue jeans, a gray sweatshirt and black hat.
Police said the suspect was believed to be carrying a 9mm handgun and should not be approached. Anyone who sees him should call 911, police said.
The causeway on Route 302 was closed after the shooting but officials announced just before midnight that the area was reopened.
The fireworks display was cancelled because of the shooting.
“Since the Naples Causeway was very busy with families getting ready to watch the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, we are very fortunate that no one else was injured,” the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release.
The sheriff’s office said there is “no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.”
Across the street from where the incident occurred in this small, southern Maine lake town with a population of 4,000 is Rick’s Café. Managers there declined comment Wednesday morning, but the café issued a statement on its Facebook page.
“Apparently Naples is not insulated from the type of violence that has become all too common all over America,” the statement reads, in part. “All of us at Rick’s are committed to Naples maintaining a family-friendly vacation atmosphere."
John Hanigan, 39, whose family has owned Naples Pizza, next door to Rick’s, said Wednesday that he was working at the shop when the shooting happened. He said he didn’t hear it, but heard people saying there was a shooting happening.
His first thought, he said, was for the customers just outside.
“There was probably a good 20 people out here. I brought them inside,” he said.
Hanigan said his family bought the pizza shop less than two years ago, but they have been visiting Naples for the past 38 years. He said he’s never heard of an incident like this, but despite the shock he said the local police presence, especially on Tuesday during the shooting, reassures him.
“It’s always a really safe area,” he said.
As for the customers, Hanigan said people weren’t really talking about the shooting, or giving any sign of fear or worry.
“Everyone seems like back to normal,” he said.
With reporting by Sean Murphy.