Police Identify Victim and Shooter in Windham Homicide

Details of the Tragic Incident in North Windham

Maine State Police have confirmed that Erin Hayne, a 33-year-old woman from Casco, was shot and killed on Route 302 in North Windham on a Friday afternoon. The medical examiner's office has determined that her cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.

The alleged shooter, identified as James Ford, 48, from Windham, is also deceased. His cause of death was a single gunshot wound, and authorities have ruled his death a suicide.

According to police reports, Ford approached Hayne while driving and pointed a gun from his vehicle at her. This incident led to the closure of Route 302 for approximately six hours, disrupting traffic in the area.

Law enforcement officials are still investigating the incident and have requested anyone with information or video footage to share it using a provided QR code. So far, no connection has been established between the suspect and the victim.

Windham Police Chief Kevin Schofield mentioned that his department received multiple 911 calls around 1:55 p.m. on Friday regarding the shooting, which occurred at the intersection of Route 302 and Landing Road. Bystanders attempted to assist the injured individual, but Hayne did not survive the incident.

Julia Hebert, a witness to the event, described the victim as riding a motorcycle when she was shot twice at the intersection. Hebert noted that the shooter was in a vehicle that left the scene quickly.

Maine’s Total Coverage reporter Cate McCusker observed a body lying in the middle of Route 302 near the Landing Road intersection, along with a blue motorcycle. The motorcycle has since been removed from the location.

Schofield explained that police established a command post and perimeter extending into the neighboring town of Raymond. Law enforcement used a helicopter and drones in their search for the suspect.

Around 2:20 p.m., the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center announced the closure of Route 302 at the intersection of Landing Road. Traffic resumed shortly before 6:30 p.m.

At about 4 p.m., the Windham Police Department and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office issued a shelter-in-place order along Route 302, covering areas from Whites Bridge Road in Windham to Route 85 in Raymond, including surrounding side streets.

An IPAWS message was sent across the state by the Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency, warning residents of a gunman at large in North Windham and advising them to stay indoors and report suspicious behavior.

Maine State Police Maj. Lucas Hare clarified that the statewide alert was due to an error. Meanwhile, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce reported that a deputy found the suspect's vehicle at a Dunkin’ in Raymond, located along Route 302 at 1247 Roosevelt Trail.

Schofield stated that witness accounts helped officers locate the suspect's vehicle. A mobile command center was set up at the Paris Farmers Union hardware store, near the Dunkin’ where the vehicle was found.

According to Hare, the suspect was discovered shortly after his vehicle was located. The shelter-in-place order was lifted around 7 p.m., and Hare confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.