Lawrence Scott Obituary, Death; – A deputy from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a 61-year-old man on Tuesday after the individual pointed a firearm at officers who were responding to reports of his suicidal state and possession of a weapon.
Dispatchers in Franklin County received a call at approximately 5:47 PM, indicating that a man, later identified as Lawrence Scott, was potentially suicidal and had what the caller suspected to be a BB gun.
A subsequent caller reported a male on the Salem side of a bridge on Salem Road in Phillips, armed with a gun, although the caller did not clarify the type of firearm involved. Deputy Jesse Clement arrived at the location and found Scott on the bridge’s edge. Clement attempted to persuade Scott to accept assistance, but Scott declined.
Despite repeated requests from Clement for Scott to lower his weapon, Scott refused and allegedly aimed the firearm at the deputy. In response, the sheriff’s deputy discharged his weapon at Scott. Emergency medical personnel administered first aid at the scene; however, they were unable to revive Scott, who was declared dead at the location.
Sheriff Scott Nichols has placed Deputy Clement on administrative leave, in accordance with standard protocol for any officer-involved shooting. The Maine Attorney General’s Office will carry out an independent investigation into the matter. Sheriff Nichols did not confirm whether Scott’s weapon was indeed a BB gun, as suggested by the initial caller.
