Saco Police contacted Gorham Police on May 24 to advise that they were looking for Aaron Bouchard, 25, of Saco, for attempted murder, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening and terrorizing following a domestic violence incident in Saco. Saco Police believed that Bouchard might be suicidal, and also that he might have a firearm. Bouchard grew up in Gorham and graduated from Gorham High School in 2010.
Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Sheriff’s Dept.Gorham Police located his vehicle at the entry to a recently cleared lot on Narragansett Street (Rt. 202), roughly across the street from LKQ Auto Parts. Officers texted Bouchard but he refused to come out of the woods. Officers set up a perimeter and Bouchard came out onto the open lot, firing several shots in the direction of the officers who were approximately 150 feet away. Chief Dan Jones returned fire and Bouchard went back into the woods. No one was hit by any of the shots fired. Bouchard was apprehended by Gorham Police and the Cumberland County Emergency Services Unit and taken into custody.
On May 26, Bouchard was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and terrorizing, all Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. His bail was set at $50,000. The District Attorney chose not to charge Bouchard with attempted murder which carries a prison term of up to 30 years. Bouchard’s attorney told the court that he had mental health problems but had not been able to access treatment and had been suicidal on the day he shot at police.
The shooting incident is being investigated by the Attorney General’s office as is routine in cases where deadly force is used by a police officer.