@bangordailynews pic.twitter.com/IZcbgCAIF9
— Wendell J. Scott III (@WendellScott) July 4, 2013
A gunman fired “dozens” of shots this morning near Maine’s largest July 4 parade — but the parade was only rerouted, not canceled, even as SWAT officers engaged in a three-hour standoff.
The man is now in custody, reports The Bangor Daily News.
Suspect on custody @bangordailynews
— Alex Barber (@AlexBarberBDN) July 4, 2013
Here’s what you need to know at the Fourth of July that Bangor never forget…
1. The Gunman Rained Down Bullets From an Apartment Building
The shots were reportedly fired from an apartment building in downtown Bangor, Maine, around 8:30 a.m., just prior to the beginning of the parade, reports WMTW. Police were on scene around the building at 47 Park Street, near the end of the parade route:
The man was arrested at around 12:30 p.m.
2. No One Was Shot
Downtown Bangor is deserted. Crime tape everywhere. pic.twitter.com/HqMonALHLj
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 4, 2013
Nobody was injured in the shooting. During the standoff, the area around downtown Bangor was completely abandoned except for Bangor police and tactical units.
3. But a Man Was Crushed to Death by a Fire Truck
The scene at pickering square. pic.twitter.com/DQK6D8dkws
— Nick Sambides Jr. (@NickSam2BDN) July 4, 2013
Meanwhile, along the parade route a man was crushed to death by a fire truck around 1 p.m. The man was thrown into the path of the vehicle after the antique tractor that he was riding in tipped over, according to Bangor Daily News.
Marie Tessier of the New York Times said:
Crowds rushed to push the fire truck up the hill, and off the man, it was clear he was not alive.
Tractor tipped. Man thrown into the path of an on coming truck. pic.twitter.com/07dr4TWVNN
— Lindsey Mills (@LindseyMills7) July 4, 2013
4. The Parade Went On Despite the Shooting
Police warn pedestrians to get away from the active shooter scene in downtown Bangor. BDN photo by Gabor Degre: pic.twitter.com/S1QH4DCktu
— Maine Breaking News (@bangordailynews) July 4, 2013
The parade was not canceled despite the stand-off ongoing in the downtown Bangor. It was, however, put on hold and rerouted to avoid the “active shooter” situation.
5. Maine’s Governor Stayed on the Scene
Governor LePage said he planned to walk the entire route. We'll see if he does. He looks determined.
— Nick Sambides Jr. (@NickSam2BDN) July 4, 2013
Maine Governor Paul LePage walked in the parade despite the shooting. It’s the state’s biggest July 4 celebration.
According to Maine.info:
Typically, the Bangor-Brewer July 4th parade is the largest parade in Maine with over 1,000 participants and viewed by over 30,000 people.