UNITY — A Unity man was arrested Monday after he allegedly fired a gun at a forest ranger who was investigating a report of illegal tree cutting, officials said.
Sharod D. Parker, 38, was arrested on a charge of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and taken to the Waldo County Jail in Belfast.
A search warrant for the residence at 118 Jacy Place was issued and executed, according to the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office. Members of the Sheriff’s Office and Maine Forest Service reportedly seized additional evidence during the search.
Officers walk in front of a residence Monday along Waterville Road in Unity following reports of gunfire. A 38-year-old man was taken into custody near the residence. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
The Waldo County Regional Communications Center first received a call at 1:02 p.m. that a ranger with the Maine Forest Service was requesting assistance at 118 Jacy Place.
“The forest ranger had initially responded there to investigate illegally cut trees and was confronted by at least two gunshots being discharged, one of which in his direction,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote in an announcement Monday night. “The ranger was not struck by either shot and radioed for assistance.”
Shortly afterward, about 20 Maine State Police cruisers and Maine Forest Service trucks began staging at the road’s intersection with Jacy Place, lining the shoulders of Waterville Road, which is also Route 139. A Maine State Police armored vehicle and Crisis Negotiation Team arrived a short time later.
Two helicopters also had landed at a nearby field, one of which was confirmed to belong to the Maine Forest Service. Tactical units in camouflage and carrying rifles were seen entering the woods near Jacy Place.
At about 3:30 p.m., three people — a man and two women — were seen in handcuffs being interviewed by police near the scene. The man was loaded into the back of a Waldo County Sheriff’s truck, while the two women had their handcuffs removed and remained at the scene.
After being removed from handcuffs Monday afternoon, one of the woman was heard saying: “They’re saying he shot at a forest ranger. We didn’t even know there was anyone on the property.”
Police left the scene shortly after 4 p.m.
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