Police shoot man accused of murdering another man in Portland, Maine
PORTLAND, Maine —
Police in Portland shot a man on Monday night who is accused of murdering another man.
Police were called to 27 Colonial Road at about 8:16 p.m. for a reported disturbance.
When police arrived, a tenant took them inside an apartment but then ran back toward the officers screaming.
Officer Joseph Lowe and Officer David Moore then entered the apartment and said they found Brian Oliver, 41, of Portland, assaulting 69-year-old Mark Tschamler.
Police say Oliver was shot after refusing to drop his weapon.
Tschamler was pronounced dead at the scene.
A longtime friend of Tschamler told Maine’s Total Coverage that Tschamler had been diagnosed with throat cancer.
Doug Moore, who lives nearby, told Maine’s Total Coverage that Tschamler owned his own handyman business, One Call Craftsmen, and that he was shocked to hear about what happened to Tschamler.
“I can’t imagine that he would have any enemies or that anybody would want to kill him,” Moore said. “I just can’t even imagine that because, to me, he was extremely friendly. As I said, he was a great handyman, and I’m really going to miss him.”
Courtesy of friend
Mark Tschamler
As of Tuesday morning, Oliver was being treated at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland. Police said he was in custody and will be charged with murder.
Officers Moore and Lowe have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard practice when officers are involved in a deadly force incident. The Maine Office of the Attorney General will investigate the use of deadly force.
At about 11 a.m. Tuesday, a half-dozen Portland police detectives arrived at the home and were spotted around the property. Officials did not share why those detectives responded to the scene and why some of them stood guard outside the house.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to call 207-874-8575.