Authorities in Maine are on the hunt for a 29-year-old man accused of shooting and killing a sheriff's corporal responding to a robbery Wednesday morning. John Williams, of Madison, was identified as a suspect in the death of 62-year-old Cpl. Eugene Cole of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office.
Williams was described as being 5 feet 6 inches, weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair shaved on the sides with a ponytail and blue eyes. Sheriff Dale Lancaster told reporters that Williams remained at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on U.S. Route 2 in Norridgewock, Maine, police said. Williams allegedly fatally shot Cole and then stole his police cruiser.
According to Maine State Police, Williams drove to Cumberland Farms in Norridgewock and committed a theft. He later fled the convenience store in Cole's cruiser. The marked cruiser was found abandoned shortly after 5 a.m. off of the Martin Stream Road in Norridgewock.
"We believe the suspect then fled the vehicle and is presently at large," Maine State Police said in a press release. "The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
During a press conference Tuesday, Sheriff Dale Lancaster called Cole "an outstanding employee." Lancaster said Cole's son, David, also works for the sheriff's office as a deputy.
A nationwide alert was issued for Williams, Lancaster told reporters. Authorities do not know of any vehicle the suspect may be using after reportedly leaving the police cruiser.
The Somerset County Sheriff's Office is working with Maine State Police, Maine Game Wardens, U.S. Marshals and the FBI in the search for Williams. According to NECN, Mill Stream Elementary in Norridgewock was closed on police orders, as well as Route 2.
Williams has had previous run-ins with law enforcement. In 2006, Williams was found guilty of a Class C felony burglary in Maine. He was ordered to serve 17 days in an unspecified correctional facility, be placed on probation for a year and required to pay $500 in restitution, Central Maine News reported.
In June 2017, he allegedly committed a misdemeanor theft. He pleaded guilty the following month and served two days in jail and paid $200 in restitution.
According to NECN, Williams was arrested on March 22 for multiple firearms charges and traffic violations in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Williams was found with a firearm in his possession without a license to carry after he allegedly drove off Interstate 495 and into a ditch.
Williams was charged with possession of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large capacity feeding device, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and a marked lanes violation. He was initially given bail set at $10,000 but that was later reduced to $5,000.
The suspected was released on bail and was scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing in court on Wednesday in Massachusetts.
Anyone who sees Williams is urged to immediately call 911. Maine Police Lt. Col. John Cote asked residents to "be aware of their surroundings and have a broad situational awareness because he does continue to post a risk."
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