NEWPORT, Maine – Newport police are investigating an incident Sunday night that witnesses first said was a drive-by shooting before recanting their statements and admitting the shooting was accidental.
Newport police responded to a report of a shooting at 34 Sand Road at approximately 9:10 p.m. The 911 caller reported that Scott Bullard, 21, of 34 Sand Road, was shot in the leg by an unknown person driving by in a pickup truck. Bullard told police that he had just smoked a cigarette outside his residence and was shot while tying his shoelace, according to a press release from Newport Police Department.
Two other people inside the home, Albert Ingerson, 26, and Michelle Thompson, 20, repeated Bullard’s account of the incident.
Bullard was taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield, where he was treated and released for a gunshot wound through his left leg.
Further interviews with the three people revealed that the wound was accidentally self-inflicted. Bullard had the fully loaded Jennings 9 millimeter-caliber handgun tucked in the waistband of his pants while he was watching television. The gun was determined to have a faulty safety, according to the press release.
The case remains open and charges may be forthcoming for Class D false public alarm or report, according to the release. Newport Sgt. Sanger Davis is the primary investigating officer. Newport Lt. Randy Wing, Officer Chris McCrillis and Maine State Police Trooper Brenda Coolen assisted at the scene.
