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Man who allegedly shot officer, killed K-9 dog killed by police in Maine
Authorities said the man shot at officers and wounded a state police K9, who later died from his injuries.
Police shot and killed a 29-year-old man Monday after, authorities say, he fired at officers responding to a domestic dispute in Maine.
Steven Righini was shot after he fired at responding officers, wounding a sheriff’s deputy and a police K9 that later died of its injuries, Maine State Police said in a statement.
Maine State Police and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ranger Street in Portage, Maine Monday morning for a reported domestic dispute. At the scene, a woman told officers that she and Righini had been fighting when he pushed her into a wall and she called for help from authorities in order to leave, State Police said.
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By the time officers arrived, police said, the woman had left the residence, and Righini was inside with the couple’s 4-week-old baby.
After officers communicated with the 29-year-old through a window and on the phone, he came outside, according to police. But when officers attempted to take him into custody, Righini allegedly resisted and pulled a gun from his waistband, firing at officers as he returned into the home.
Righini allegedly continued to shoot a second firearm at the retreating officers, striking a sheriff’s deputy in the shoulder, and police returned gunfire, State Police said. A standoff allegedly followed for “several hours.”
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“Mr. Righini refused to surrender and eventually tried to flee the residence in a vehicle,” police said.
After finding his car had been disabled by police, the 29-year-old allegedly fled on foot.
As he was attempting to flee, just before 8 p.m., Righini shot a State Police K9, the agency said. Troopers then shot Righini, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The K9, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois named Preacher, was rushed to emergency surgery but died Tuesday morning, police said.
“K-9 Preacher was more than just a working dog—he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero,” Maine State Police Colonel Ross said in a statement. “Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K-9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm.”
Police said the baby was not injured in the incident and was reunited with her mother. The injured sheriff’s deputy was taken to a hospital and later released.
The three officers involved in the shooting are being placed on administrative leave as the state’s attorney general investigates.
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