MEXICO — The Paris man who died in Mexico following a standoff with police Sunday night was killed by gunshot wounds to the neck and chest, according to a news release by the Attorney General’s Office.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said that the gunshot wounds found on Steven R. Piirainen, 52, during their autopsy report were not self-inflicted.

The standoff, which lasted several hours, began Sunday afternoon when Piirainen stole a pickup truck in Norway and led police officers on a nearly 40-mile chase north to Main Street in Mexico.

Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said that Piirainen exchanged fire with Maine State Police Trooper Paul Casey and Mexico reserve officer Dean Benson. Both have been placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard with all police shootings, he said.

The owner of the stolen pickup truck, Tom Turner of Norway, said he initially jumped into the back of his truck when he saw Piirainen driving off with it.

Turner, who owns the Passenger’s Rail restaurant on Main Street in Norway, said Piirainen did not shoot at him and he is all right following the Sunday altercation.

Turner said state police still have his truck.

The state police tactical team confirmed late Sunday night that Piirainen was found dead inside the vehicle outside the Circle K store and gas station.

Tim Feeley, a special assistant with the Attorney General’s Office, declined to comment on how many times Piirainen was shot and said “the information will show up in the final report.”

The Attorney General’s investigation into the use of deadly force by Casey and Benson is ongoing.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com

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