AUBURN — Police closed down a section of James Street Friday night after reports that shots were fired in the area shortly before 7 p.m.
No one was struck by gunfire, but a vehicle and a house were hit, police said. By Saturday morning, investigators were searching for a 16-year-old boy, one of two suspects in the shooting.
A woman who witnessed the shooting said two young men, both hooded, were running down James Street at about 6:35 p.m. with another man chasing after them. One of the men being pursued turned and started opening fire on the man behind them.
That man, the woman said, had to duck behind a Jeep to avoid being struck.
“That Jeep is what saved him from being shot,” she said.
The two suspects then ran from the area as police began to arrive, the witness said. It was not immediately clear what became of the man who was shot at.
Police later said that the two suspects had gone to a James Street residence and caused a disturbance, which led to the drama.
“A male exited the building and confronted the two individuals, chasing them down the street,” police wrote in a press release. “During the pursuit, one of the fleeing subjects turned and discharged a firearm twice.”
Police said one round struck a tire of the Jeep while another slammed into the foundation of a nearby house.
Neighbors reported that one woman had taken her children inside their home just two minutes before bullets started flying.
“There are so many kids in this neighborhood,” one woman said. She also praised the quick response of the police, who arrived at the scene en masse.
“They made us immediately feel like we were safe and took immediate action,” the woman said.
Police shut down a section of James Street between Grant and Charles streets as their investigation got underway. At least one person who lives in the area was able to provide police with surveillance camera footage of the shooting.
By early Saturday, police were searching for a 16-year-old suspect while the second male seen in surveillance video remained unidentified.
Police believe those involved in the shooting are known to one another.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Dennis Matthews at [email protected] or to call 207-333-6650 extension 2073.
