AUBURN, Maine – A standoff in Auburn came to a tragic end early Saturday as a Maine State Police tactical team shot and killed a man who had opened fire at officers. The incident also resulted in two homes burning down and left one person missing after a scuffle with the shooter.
Authorities in Auburn issued a shelter-in-place order, evacuated homes, and closed a section of the street as the situation unfolded. The events evoked memories of a mass shooting in neighboring Lewiston less than eight months ago, where 18 people were killed and 13 others injured in Maine’s deadliest shooting.
The man involved in the Auburn standoff, identified as Leein Hinkley, 43, had recently been released on bail following a probation violation. The incident began when he attempted to break into a home in the early hours of Saturday, leading to a confrontation with a resident inside. A woman managed to escape through a window after hearing gunshots and called 911.
Auburn police officers later found the woman hiding nearby and confirmed the intruder as Hinkley. Subsequently, a fight ensued inside the house, resulting in flames engulfing the building. The man who fought with Hinkley remains unaccounted for, according to Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle.
Hinkley fired shots at officers several times and engaged in verbal altercations before retreating to a rooftop, where he continued to brandish a firearm. After a four-hour standoff, he was located by the tactical team around 5:30 a.m., leading to his fatal shooting by two troopers shortly thereafter.
The incident also involved several explosions and fires in the area, with vehicles and neighboring properties sustaining damage. Hinkley had a history of criminal conduct, including a 2011 conviction for domestic violence and aggravated assault, as well as recent domestic violence charges.
State police and the attorney general’s office will conduct separate investigations into the incident, with the troopers involved placed on leave pending the outcome. The tragic events in Auburn have left the community in shock and mourning, with questions lingering around the circumstances that led to such a violent confrontation.