Sabattus police block the road Wednesday evening along Route 9 where state police say a shooting left three people dead and two wounded. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

SABATTUS — A local man may have been experiencing a mental health crisis when he shot and killed his mother and another motorist on Route 9 in Sabattus Wednesday, police said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

James Davis III, 29, of Sabattus shot and killed his mother, Christine Smith, 47, of Sabattus around 4:14 p.m. Wednesday while they were traveling together on King Road at the intersection of Middle Road, according to a news release from Shannon Moss, public information officer at the Maine Department of Public Safety.

State police are still investigating the shooting, which left three dead, including the gunman, his mother and a local school employee, and two others wounded.

After being shot, Smith’s vehicle rolled across Route 9 before coming to a stop, after which Davis exited and began shooting at passing vehicles, Moss said.

Katherine Williams, 53, of Sabattus was traveling on Route 9 when she was struck by Davis’ gunfire, Moss said. She was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Tyson Turner, 19, of Jay and David Wilson, 35, of Hartford were each traveling in separate vehicles on Route 9 and both were struck by Davis’ gunfire before Davis shot and killed himself, Moss said.

The two victims were transported to CMMC and are expected to survive.

Turner and Wilson were both among several 911 calls reporting the shooting to police.

The three deceased were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will determine the cause and manner of the deaths.

Col. William Ross of the Maine State Police updates the media Thursday at the state police barracks in Gray on a shooting in Sabattus on Wednesday afternoon. Ross said James Davis III of Sabattus shot and killed his mother, Christine Smith, 47, of Sabattus, with a .357 revolver while riding in a car with her. He left the car with an AK-47 and began shooting at oncoming traffic traveling from Lisbon to Sabattus, killing Katherine Williams, 53, of Sabattus, and injuring Tyson Turner, 19, of Jay, and David Wilson, 35, of Hartford. Davis then killed himself. Commissioner Michael Sauschuck of the Maine Department of Public Safety stands at left. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Davis, who lived with Smith, had gone to his father’s house to spend the day with family, Col. William Ross of the state police said at the news conference. Family members told police Davis had been acting erratically and had in his possession a .357 revolver and AK-47.

Davis’ family members told police they spent much of the day trying to get in touch with Smith to make arrangements for her to pick Davis up.

Police believe Davis was suffering a mental health crisis, though they have found no evidence of prior mental health diagnoses.

A criminal search on Davis showed no prior history.

Ross said police found several more firearms at Davis’ and Smith’s residence and said they are tracking all the serial numbers, including the ones used in the shooting, and will release more information.

Davis lived and worked locally in Sabattus, Ross said.

Emergency vehicles block off the road near Route 9 in Sabattus on Wednesday evening. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal

Williams, a food service manager for Carrie Ricker and Libby-Tozier schools in Litchfield, was traveling home from work when the shooting occurred.

Regional School Unit 4 Superintendent Katy Grondin sent a letter to parents and members of the district’s communities notifying them of Williams’ death and of counseling services for students, staff and community members.

“Death can be difficult for us to understand, especially when it is sudden,” Grondin said. “We all will feel a variety of emotions in a myriad of ways. What is important is that we care and support one another in the days and weeks ahead.”

Counselors were available from noon to 3 p.m. at Oak Hill High School at 56 School Road in Wales.

Witnesses at the scene Wednesday night said a person was seen shooting at passing vehicles.

Maximus Bard of Auburn, who was passing through the area at the time, said he heard around 10 shots fired.