Lewiston man charged with murder of Massachusetts man

LEWISTON — A local man was charged with murder Monday afternoon in the shooting of a Massachusetts man Sunday on Howe Street, police said.

Mark Sinclair Androscoggin County Jail

Mark John Sinclair, 28, of 12 Howe St. was arrested Sunday and taken to Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn, where he is being held without bail.

A hearing is expected later this week Androscoggin County Superior Court, according to Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss. State Police investigated the incident along with local officers.

Moss said in a media statement that local police were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday to 30 Howe St. for a report of gunshots.

At the scene, officers found John Paquin, 20, of Worcester, Massachusetts, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, Moss said.

He was taken to Central Maine Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, Moss said.

About 12:20 p.m. Monday, the Maine Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on Paquin and ruled his death a homicide, Moss said.

Sinclair was charged with murder by Maine State Police detectives.

Lewiston police continue to restrict access Monday morning to a Howe Street residence where a man was fatally shot Sunday. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

The lower section of Howe Street was blocked off for several hours while Lewiston Police officers, Maine State Police detectives and evidence technicians processed the scene and conducted interviews.

About 1:30 a.m. Monday, a search warrant was served at Sinclair’s home, stemming from his arrest Sunday evening.

Sinclair had active outstanding warrants for domestic violence terrorizing, criminal mischief and violation of bail and was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn.

Witnesses said Sunday the victim had been shot several times in the head and died at the scene. One witness reportedly checked for a pulse and found none.