Maine Police Justified In Shooting Man Who Shot Cop And K9

The Attorney General's Office has ruled Maine State Police Officers justified in a fatal shooting.

Maine Police-Involved Shooting in Portage Lake Ruled Justified

Steven Righini, 29, of Portage Lake died in an incident with the police on February 3, 2025.

Maine State Police and members of the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office were called to 20 Ranger Street in Portage Lake on that date for a report of a domestic dispute, in which a woman said Righini had pushed her into a wall.

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By the time officials arrived, the woman was out of the house but the couple's 4-week-old infant was still inside.

Maine Police K9 Was Fatally Shot in Portage Lake Incident

When authorities tried to take Righini into custody, he resisted by pulling a gun from his waistband and shooting at the officers.

As the deputies and troopers tried to back out of the driveway, Righini grabbed another firearm and fired at the cruisers, shooting Deputy Shane Campbell in the shoulder. Deputy Campbell was taken to Northern Light Hospital in Presque Isle, where he was treated and released.

The report from the Maine Attorney General's Office states that Sergeant Reid Clark then shot at Righini.

After several hours of negotiations, Righini tried to flee the scene in a vehicle, but the police disabled it, so he ran.

A Police K-9 named Preacher, a four-year-old Belgian Mainois, was deployed to apprehend Righini, and was shot in the abdoment by the suspect.

Maine Attorney General Says Portage Lake Police-Involved Shooting Was Justified

Righini reportedly pointed his gun at law enforcement before Troopers Andrew Hardy and Jonathan Russell shot him.

Righini was pronouned dead at the scene.

The infant was not hurt in the incident and was returned to her mother.

Preacher was taken to an Emergency Vet with serious injuries and had surgery. Despite the best efforts of the veterinary staff, Police K9 Preacher died the next day from his injuries.

Attorney General Aaron Frey says the officers were justified in shooting Righini because he had demonstrated multiple times that day his willingness to use deadly force. Frey says it was reasonable for the officers to believe the use of deadly force was necessary to protect themselves and others.