Hunting is suspended in Maine as massive manhunt continues

Wanted: Police in Maine are seeking John Daniel Williams, 29, in a cop slaying

Hunting has been suspended in three Maine towns as a manhunt continues for the suspect in a deputy’s fatal shooting.

John Daniel Williams, 29, remained on the loose on Friday evening, when Maine Governor Paul LePage decided to suspend all hunting in in portions of Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Fairfield.

That includes the start of youth wild turkey season on Saturday and regular wild turkey season on Monday.

LePage said the move is to ‘ensure the safety of the public and our law enforcement officers.’

Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole was shot and killed early Wednesday morning. 

Police are on their third day searching for Williams in and around the heavily wooded rural community of Norridgewock, about 60 miles west of Bangor. He’s considered armed and dangerous.  

Maine state police search along railroad tracks near Mill Stream Road in Norridgewock, Maine on Friday during a manhunt for John Daniel Williams

Maine state police search along railroad tracks near Mill Stream Road in Norridgewock, Maine on Friday during a manhunt for John Daniel Williams

The manhunt has entered its third day and all hunting is suspended in three Maine towns 

The manhunt has entered its third day and all hunting is suspended in three Maine towns 

More than 200 officers from multiple agencies, including the FBI, have been searching

More than 200 officers from multiple agencies, including the FBI, have been searching

The shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole (pictured) early Wednesday morning in Norridgewock has triggered an intensive manhunt for John Williams

The shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole early Wednesday morning in Norridgewock has triggered an intensive manhunt for John Williams (pictured)

 The shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole (left) early Wednesday morning in Norridgewock has triggered an intensive manhunt for John Williams, 29 (right)

More than 200 officers from multiple agencies, including the FBI, have been working on the case. Police planned to focus their search Friday in the woods and door-to-door.

Sheriff Dale Lancaster said at a news conference earlier on Friday that authorities understand that Williams may want to communicate with them but wouldn’t elaborate further. Lancaster said they are willing to listen and encouraged him to reach out.

‘If John Williams is listening to me, I’d like to address him directly,’ Lancaster said. ‘We will do anything to resolve this situation peacefully.’

State Police Lt. Col. John Cote said authorities interviewed family and friends of Williams and now have a good understanding of his whereabouts and activities in the 24 hours leading up to the shooting. 

Cote said they are looking for people who may have had contact with him afterward, from 2.30am Wednesday on, saying they are ‘critically important’.

Numerous area police agency officers converge on Bear Mountain Road to search for Williams

Numerous area police agency officers converge on Bear Mountain Road to search for Williams

State Police Lt. Col. John Cote said authorities interviewed family and friends of Williams and now have a good understanding of his whereabouts and activities in the 24 hours leading up to the shooting 

State Police Lt. Col. John Cote said authorities interviewed family and friends of Williams and now have a good understanding of his whereabouts and activities in the 24 hours leading up to the shooting 

Maine state police search along railroad tracks near Mill Stream Road in Norridgewock, Maine

Maine state police search along railroad tracks near Mill Stream Road in Norridgewock, Maine

Police said Cole’s body was found in Norridgewock outside a home on Mercer Road. The woman who lives there, Kimberly Sirois, not only found Cole’s body but also said she knows Williams and saw him earlier this month.

Sirois, an education technician at Mill Stream Elementary School in Norridgewock, said she found Cole’s body in her yard around 7.15am Wednesday. 

Sirois also said police told her they found body armor and a rifle in her vehicle, which she said was unlocked. A state police spokesman declined to confirm or deny details of her story.

Sirois said Williams lived with her when he was in high school after having a falling out with his parents. 

She said he also stayed with her last fall, but she asked him to leave because she was suspicious he was using drugs in the house.

Police said Cole's body was found in Norridgewock outside a home on Mercer Road. The woman who lives there, Kimberly Sirois, not only found Cole's body but also said she knows Williams and saw him earlier this month

Police said Cole’s body was found in Norridgewock outside a home on Mercer Road. The woman who lives there, Kimberly Sirois, not only found Cole’s body but also said she knows Williams and saw him earlier this month

Dashcam footage from Cole's patrol car  minutes before he was shot shows Williams entering the store

He emerges a minute later

Dashcam footage from Cole’s patrol car minutes before he was shot shows Williams entering the store (left) and emerging a minute later at 1.41am. Cole was shot at 1.45am

‘He was certainly struggling with addiction,’ Sirois said, ‘and it seemed to get progressively worse from September to after Christmas when he was asked to leave.’

She said Williams in his last visit discussed his recent arrest in Massachusetts on gun charges. He was due in court Wednesday.

Sirois said she has no idea what transpired that morning and hopes Williams turns himself in.

‘Maybe because of this,’ she said, ‘people will be more willing to step in when people are having a hard time.’

A viewing for Cole will be held May 6. A funeral is planned for May 7. 

The FBI has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Williams.

Anyone with information about Williams’ whereabouts is urged to contact the FBI tip line at 207-624-7076. 

 Sheriff Dale Lancaster said at a news conference Friday authorities understand that Williams may want to communicate with them

 Sheriff Dale Lancaster said at a news conference Friday authorities understand that Williams may want to communicate with them



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