‘Dozens of Rounds’ Fired at July 4th Parade: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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.

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

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

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.

4. The Parade Went On Despite the Shooting

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

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.