Maine AG Says Bangor Police Acted in Self-Defense in a 2025 Shooting

3 Bangor cops have been exonerated in the shooting of a man on outer Broadway in 2025.

Bangor, Maine Police Shot a Suicidal Man at his Home on Outer Broadway

Officers Brian Cronk, Taylor Reynolds, and Benjamin Ferland of the Bangor Police Department acted in self-defense when they shot and injured Brian Barnes at his home, according to the Maine Attorney General's Office.

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Those three officers responded to a call from a woman on Broadway in Bangor, who told the police that her husband was suicidal and had a gun and bullets in their garage.

She was advised to lock the doors, stay inside, and remain on the phone.

Bangor, Maine Police Shot a Man on Outer Broadway Who Pointed a Weapon at Them

As she spoke with the dispatcher, Mr. Barnes could be heard pounding on the door and indicating that there would be a shoot-out, if the police came to the property.

Officer Cronk was the first on the scene and saw Mr. Barnes standing in the driveway yelling 'It's either you or me.' The officer didn't see a gun, but understood that Barnes had one.

Barnes was told repeatedly to drop his firearm but instead, moved behind a tree and out of sight.

Officers Reynolds and Ferland then arrived at the scene and joined Cronk in demanding that Barnes drop his weapon.

It was at this point that the Maine Attorney General's Office says Mr. Barnes moved from behind the tree, with a 9mm handgun beneath his chin.

He then pointed the gun at the officers, who fired at him.

When the officers approached Mr. Barnes, they found that his handgun was unloaded.

He was treated for a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was found to have a blood alcohol level of .26.

Maine Attorney General Says Bangor Police Officers Were Justified in a 2025 Shooting

All three officers told investigators, in separate interviews, that they feared for their own lives and the lives of their fellow officers when Barnes pointed his gun, and that's why they shot him.

The entire encounter was recorded on dash cams from their cruisers and on the officers' body cams.

The officers will not face charges for this case.

Mr. Barnes is charged with criminal threatening and reckless conduct.