A person of interest in the killing of Ava, a pregnant goat living at Smiling Hill Farm, has been identified, the owner of the popular farm said Thursday.

Warren Knight, whose family has operated the farm for generations, said the person was identified with the help of tips from the public and an investigation that involved Scarborough and Westbrook police and the Maine Warden Service.

The goat was shot sometime overnight from Feb. 17-18 and its body discovered during feeding on the morning of Feb. 18.

A snowstorm hit the area at the time of the shooting and Knight said he believes someone driving near the farm early on Feb. 18 may have seen someone walking toward the animal barns on the farm.

Scarborough Police Sgt. Rick Rouse confirmed that a person of interest has been identified. He said an arrest, most likely on a charge of animal cruelty, is not imminent and declined to offer any more information on the status of the case.

Knight said it’s a slow time of the year for the farm so he’s not sure if the incident has had an impact on business at the farm, which allows people to see its dairy cows and other animals and also sells milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.

“We were worried that people may think it’s indicative of a greater problem” of safety in the area, Knight said. “This whole event has been distasteful. … There’s no explanation.” But he said the farm has also received many expressions of support.

“We do appreciate that,” he said. “It’s nice that people reached out and said, ‘Sorry this happened.’ “