PORTAGE LAKE, ME - Authorities said that a man was shot and killed by two Maine State troopers after he shot a sheriff's deputy, started an armed standoff, and fatally shot a police K9, Preacher.
According to WMTW, on Monday morning, February 3rd, officers responded to a home at 20 Ranger St. in Portage Lake after receiving reports of a domestic dispute between a woman and the alleged suspect, who was later identified as 29-year-old Steven Righini. The woman accused Righini of fighting with her and pushing her up against the wall.
When officers arrived on scene, they said they found the woman outside of the home, while Righini was still inside with their four-week-old infant. Authorities were initially able to convince Righini to come outside and continue speaking with them. However, when officers attempted to arrest him, a struggle ensued and he pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers.
Righini then pulled out a second gun and fired it at a retreating police vehicle, striking and injuring Aroostook County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Campbell. Officers returned fire, but Righini was able to retreat back into the home. Additional efforts with negotiations to get Righini out of the house and submit to arrest were unsuccessful and a standoff lasted several hours.
He resisted arrested by remaining inside with the infant. At some point, Righini tried to escape by driving away before police were able to disable his car. While attempting to flee from officers on foot, Righini allegedly fired his weapon at a Maine State Police K9 named Preacher, striking the dog in the abdomen.
Precher, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Preque Isle, where he was stabilized, but then died of his injuries on Tuesday morning. In a statement, Maine State Police Col. William Ross said, "K9 Preacher was more than just a working dog, he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero. Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm."
According to WMTW, Preacher and his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the Maine State Police Tactical Team. Russell and Preacher attended the Maine State Police K9 Patrol School in the fall of 2023, where they became a certified patrol team. Authorities said that after he shot K9 Preacher, Righini pointed his weapon at officers when MSP Specialist Andrew Hardy and MSP Sgt. Russell, shot and killed the suspect.
KEPR reported that Preacher was surrounded by his handler and several members of the tactical team when he passed away. Police said the loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K9 partners. The infant child was not injured and was returned to her mother. The officers involved in the shooting have been put on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.
According to WMTW, on Monday morning, February 3rd, officers responded to a home at 20 Ranger St. in Portage Lake after receiving reports of a domestic dispute between a woman and the alleged suspect, who was later identified as 29-year-old Steven Righini. The woman accused Righini of fighting with her and pushing her up against the wall.
When officers arrived on scene, they said they found the woman outside of the home, while Righini was still inside with their four-week-old infant. Authorities were initially able to convince Righini to come outside and continue speaking with them. However, when officers attempted to arrest him, a struggle ensued and he pulled a gun from his waistband and shot at the officers.
Righini then pulled out a second gun and fired it at a retreating police vehicle, striking and injuring Aroostook County Sheriff's Deputy Shane Campbell. Officers returned fire, but Righini was able to retreat back into the home. Additional efforts with negotiations to get Righini out of the house and submit to arrest were unsuccessful and a standoff lasted several hours.
He resisted arrested by remaining inside with the infant. At some point, Righini tried to escape by driving away before police were able to disable his car. While attempting to flee from officers on foot, Righini allegedly fired his weapon at a Maine State Police K9 named Preacher, striking the dog in the abdomen.
Precher, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois, was rushed to an emergency veterinary clinic in Preque Isle, where he was stabilized, but then died of his injuries on Tuesday morning. In a statement, Maine State Police Col. William Ross said, "K9 Preacher was more than just a working dog, he was a dedicated partner, a protector, and a hero. Most people will never understand the sacrifices made by our K9 teams, but last night, Preacher made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others from harm."
According to WMTW, Preacher and his handler, Sgt. Jonathan Russell, served the greater Southern Field Troop area and the Maine State Police Tactical Team. Russell and Preacher attended the Maine State Police K9 Patrol School in the fall of 2023, where they became a certified patrol team. Authorities said that after he shot K9 Preacher, Righini pointed his weapon at officers when MSP Specialist Andrew Hardy and MSP Sgt. Russell, shot and killed the suspect.
KEPR reported that Preacher was surrounded by his handler and several members of the tactical team when he passed away. Police said the loss of Preacher is a profound reminder of the courage and dedication of our law enforcement officers and their K9 partners. The infant child was not injured and was returned to her mother. The officers involved in the shooting have been put on administrative leave, which is standard protocol.
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Comments
2025-02-05T17:42-0500 | Comment by: Laurence
Poor dog. He died in the line of duty. Sad that animals have to suffer because of evil human beings.
2025-02-05T18:53-0500 | Comment by: Olympia
Steven Righini needs to be fined, arrested, imprisoned and then complete community service for these crime! Thug behavior!