Monday night mayhem: Shooting, beating and dog attack investigated in Guilford

    GUILFORD — The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department, working with Maine State Police and the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department, are investigating a shooting, beating and alleged dog attack that sent four residents of Guilford to Mayo Regional Hospital Monday night.

    According to the sheriff’s office, one person was hospitalized with a gunshot wound, one for a broken arm and other injuries caused by being struck with a bat, one with serious injuries as the result of being hit repeatedly with a baseball bat and serious dog bites, and the fourth for dog bites. None of the injuries was life threatening.
    Two vehicles were impounded, the dog was quarantined, and police recovered baseball bats, switchblades and over a dozen other knives, and bullet casings.
    The department received a call about a person being shot several times at the intersection of Water Street and North Main Street in Guilford around 9:30 p.m. The caller reported that several people were involved, but all fled the scene. A description of two vehicles was obtained.
    Deputies responded to the scene of the shooting, spoke to the gunshot victim and secured the intersection and a residence.  Dover Foxcroft Officer Kyle Wilson observed two vehicles matching the given description and stopped them on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft.
    Officers have interviewed 13 people who were involved and have pieced together the following scenario, although reports are conflicted.
    Around July 4, there was a young man who was beaten up. That has led to a series of fights in the Guilford area over the past few days, none of which have been reported to police. On Monday night, a group of nine adults and juveniles went to Guilford armed with baseball bats and knives.  They confronted two males who were part of the fight scenario; these males were armed with baseball bats and a Rottweiler dog.  Both sides used baseball bats to strike each other and the dog attacked two of the males. One of the males attacked by the dog was armed with a 9mm pistol; two shots were fired in the direction of the dog and the dog’s owner was hit by one round in the forearm.
    The investigation will continue as witnesses are interviewed and re-interviewed and physical evidence is processed. Once the investigation is complete the case will be presented to the District Attorney for his determination as to whom and what charges will be filed. The investigation has widened in scope to include all of the previous incidents and the Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with the State Police and other law enforcement agencies.
    Because of the juveniles involved in this case and the complexity of determining the exact events, no names of involved individuals were released by law enforcement officials.