Ryan Nichols Obituary, Death; – A man was fatally shot by police early Saturday morning in Westbrook after local authorities reported that he allegedly resisted arrest, assaulted officers, and subsequently armed himself with metal objects while advancing towards the responding officers.
According to a news release from the Westbrook Police Department, officers were dispatched around 3:25 a.m. in response to a call regarding a domestic disturbance at a residence on Arlington Avenue.
The caller, a woman, informed public safety officials that her son, who suffers from mental illness, was causing harm and that she felt threatened. The release indicated that the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Ryan Nichols, had an outstanding felony warrant for assault. Upon arrival, officers attempted to apprehend Nichols; however, he reportedly fled to a nearby residence, where he continued to resist arrest.
The officers employed “less lethal weapons” in an effort to subdue him, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Nichols then allegedly armed himself with metal objects and moved towards the officers, disregarding commands to surrender, as stated in the release.
Westbrook police Sgt. Brian Grasser and Officer Maxwell Sawyer subsequently discharged their firearms, resulting in Nichols being pronounced dead at the scene despite first aid efforts from the officers and other emergency responders.
Both officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave, and the Maine attorney general’s office is conducting an investigation, which is standard procedure in police shooting cases. The Maine State Police Evidence Response Team is assisting the attorney general’s office with this investigation.
