SANFORD, ME - A Maine food truck driver recalls the moments he shot and injured a knife-wielding man in self-defense ahead of a holiday parade on Friday, December 1st.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Addy's food truck driver, David Poto, said, "You always anticipate dealing with danger in a certain way, but you never know how you will react or how it would play out until you actually live it. It all happened so fast but in slow motion at the same time."
The Sanford Police Department (SPD) said that the incident happened around 3:52 p.m. near the intersection of Main Street and Lebanon Street. The man wielding the knife allegedly did so at motorists and threatened to kill people ahead of the holiday parade.
Poto and his family were setting up their food truck business ahead of the town's Christmas tree lighting event and the "Holly Daze" parade when Poto spotted the knife wielding man.
He said after witnessing the unidentified man wielding a knife at motorists and threatening to kill them, he confronted the man without showing him that he was holding a concealed firearm behind his leg. Poto said that he got the man's attention while he stood near traffic, leading the man to allegedly respond, "I'm going to kill you" and "I'm going to stab you."
He said, "I didn't want to escalate anything, but I knew the danger was coming toward us. Worst-case scenario, I was prepared." Poto explained that his wife was standing near their food truck as the couple's four young daughters watched a Christmas movie inside the truck.
Poto said that he tried to calm the man down and get him to sit down, but that the individual kept on walking toward Poto, even when the food truck owner pulled out his firearm. When recalling the man's reaction, Poto said, "He didn't care." Out of fear for his family's safety and his own, he fired his gun and struck the knife wielding man in the leg.
Poto said, "I was trying to avoid his ateries. I didn't want to kill him." Poto said that the man fell to the ground in pain and started shouting the word "rape" and accusing Poto of "shooting a woman."
On Facebook, SPD posted the press release that said, "...The Sanford Police Dept. responded to the intersection of Main St. and Lebanon St. for a report of a male who had been shot. Witnesses on scene described a male who was in the intersection, in and out of the roadway yelling at vehicles and carrying a knife. This male approached a food truck that was parked in the parking lot of T-Mobile.
"There was a confrontation with the owner of the truck and the male with the knife. The male with the knife was shot. The shooter is cooperating with detectives as they gather evidence and conduct interviews. The male shot was transported to Maine Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. There is no current risk to the public. The invesigation is ongoing."
The incident did not cause any delays with the parade as it kicked off at 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting immediately following.
Since the shooting, Poto said he has had difficulty sleeping and that his daughters are "completely shook up." He added, "I hate the fact that somebody had to get hurt. I hate the fact that he put me in that position in the first place. I didn't want any part of it."
He said, "Those first few days were like a constant adrenaline rush, between the incident itself, talking to the police, wondering what happens next for our business, coping with the trauma, and the social media chatter."
Locals organized a rally in support of the Poto family and their food truck, which is the family's main source of income. Fellow business owner Jason Cole, who also organized the event, said, "We know that they suffered a traumatic event and also lost a very busy night right at the holiday season. We are honored to help them out ... to show them that the community supports them and will help them recover."
Regarding the support Poto and his family have received from their community, he said, "The community support just takes our breath away. I think everyone around us knew what we needed before we did, which we will be eternally grateful for."
In a more formal statement, Poto and his family said, "We are saddened by the traumatic events that unfolded this evening but are thankful that we were able to prevent it from escalating any further. Our children, who were present at the time, are very shaken; our hope is that with time and love, things can return to some sense of normalcy. - Addy's."
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Addy's food truck driver, David Poto, said, "You always anticipate dealing with danger in a certain way, but you never know how you will react or how it would play out until you actually live it. It all happened so fast but in slow motion at the same time."
The Sanford Police Department (SPD) said that the incident happened around 3:52 p.m. near the intersection of Main Street and Lebanon Street. The man wielding the knife allegedly did so at motorists and threatened to kill people ahead of the holiday parade.
Poto and his family were setting up their food truck business ahead of the town's Christmas tree lighting event and the "Holly Daze" parade when Poto spotted the knife wielding man.
He said after witnessing the unidentified man wielding a knife at motorists and threatening to kill them, he confronted the man without showing him that he was holding a concealed firearm behind his leg. Poto said that he got the man's attention while he stood near traffic, leading the man to allegedly respond, "I'm going to kill you" and "I'm going to stab you."
He said, "I didn't want to escalate anything, but I knew the danger was coming toward us. Worst-case scenario, I was prepared." Poto explained that his wife was standing near their food truck as the couple's four young daughters watched a Christmas movie inside the truck.
Poto said that he tried to calm the man down and get him to sit down, but that the individual kept on walking toward Poto, even when the food truck owner pulled out his firearm. When recalling the man's reaction, Poto said, "He didn't care." Out of fear for his family's safety and his own, he fired his gun and struck the knife wielding man in the leg.
Poto said, "I was trying to avoid his ateries. I didn't want to kill him." Poto said that the man fell to the ground in pain and started shouting the word "rape" and accusing Poto of "shooting a woman."
On Facebook, SPD posted the press release that said, "...The Sanford Police Dept. responded to the intersection of Main St. and Lebanon St. for a report of a male who had been shot. Witnesses on scene described a male who was in the intersection, in and out of the roadway yelling at vehicles and carrying a knife. This male approached a food truck that was parked in the parking lot of T-Mobile.
"There was a confrontation with the owner of the truck and the male with the knife. The male with the knife was shot. The shooter is cooperating with detectives as they gather evidence and conduct interviews. The male shot was transported to Maine Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. There is no current risk to the public. The invesigation is ongoing."
The incident did not cause any delays with the parade as it kicked off at 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting immediately following.
Since the shooting, Poto said he has had difficulty sleeping and that his daughters are "completely shook up." He added, "I hate the fact that somebody had to get hurt. I hate the fact that he put me in that position in the first place. I didn't want any part of it."
He said, "Those first few days were like a constant adrenaline rush, between the incident itself, talking to the police, wondering what happens next for our business, coping with the trauma, and the social media chatter."
Locals organized a rally in support of the Poto family and their food truck, which is the family's main source of income. Fellow business owner Jason Cole, who also organized the event, said, "We know that they suffered a traumatic event and also lost a very busy night right at the holiday season. We are honored to help them out ... to show them that the community supports them and will help them recover."
Regarding the support Poto and his family have received from their community, he said, "The community support just takes our breath away. I think everyone around us knew what we needed before we did, which we will be eternally grateful for."
In a more formal statement, Poto and his family said, "We are saddened by the traumatic events that unfolded this evening but are thankful that we were able to prevent it from escalating any further. Our children, who were present at the time, are very shaken; our hope is that with time and love, things can return to some sense of normalcy. - Addy's."
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Comments
2023-12-19T13:03-0500 | Comment by: Barry
Sad that Potos was so affected by his response. He needs to realize the alternative, had the perp carried out his despicable agenda. I wish the best for Poto and his family.
2023-12-20T11:13-0500 | Comment by: Laurence
If Poto was in Communist California he would be arrested and tossed in jail for defendng himself.