Maine State Police Release New Details in Fatal Route 302 Shooting in Windham – The quiet town of Windham, Maine, was rocked on Friday afternoon when a fatal shooting unfolded in broad daylight along the busy Route 302 corridor. The incident left one man dead, prompted a massive police response, and plunged the community into fear as a shelter-in-place order was issued for several hours.
According to the Maine State Police, the shooting occurred at approximately 1:55 p.m. near the intersection of Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) and Landing Road. Witnesses reported a disturbing scene in which a motorcyclist was targeted in what appeared to be a deliberate drive-by attack.
When officers arrived, they found 33-year-old Erin Hayne of Casco suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. A Maine Game Warden who happened to be nearby, along with several bystanders, rushed to administer first aid. Despite their efforts, Hayne succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators pieced together a chilling series of moments leading up to the shooting. Witnesses said a silver sedan pulled alongside Hayne’s motorcycle before the driver rolled down the window and opened fire. The gunman struck Hayne several times, sending bystanders scrambling for cover as chaos erupted along the normally busy commuter route.
Some witnesses, including individuals traveling in a U-Haul truck, courageously pursued the suspect’s vehicle while relaying information to 911 dispatchers. Their efforts allowed police to identify the car and its license plate number before it disappeared near the Raymond/Windham town line.
Within minutes, officers from Windham, Raymond, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office spread across the area. Deputies soon discovered the silver sedan abandoned behind a Dunkin’ location on Route 302 in Raymond. The suspect, however, was not inside.
Authorities quickly established a perimeter and issued a shelter-in-place order, urging residents to remain indoors. Nearby businesses were locked down as tactical teams and specialized units swarmed the area in search of the shooter.
The Maine State Police Tactical Team, assisted by K9 units, launched an intensive search of the wooded terrain near the abandoned vehicle. After several tense hours, officers discovered the body of 48-year-old James Ford of Windham, the registered owner of the car used in the shooting.
Authorities confirmed Ford was the suspected gunman, though a motive remains unclear. His death brought the manhunt to an end and lifted the immediate threat to the community.
The shooting sent shockwaves through Windham and surrounding towns. Route 302, a vital artery in Cumberland County, was closed for much of the day as investigators processed evidence and secured the crime scene. Many residents expressed fear and disbelief on social media, struggling to comprehend how a routine afternoon commute had turned into a deadly confrontation.
Friends and loved ones remembered Erin Hayne as a hardworking and kind individual whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence.
Maine State Police emphasized that the case remains under investigation. Detectives are working to determine whether Hayne and Ford had any prior connection or if the incident was random. Autopsies for both men will be conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta.
Though the immediate danger has passed, Friday’s tragedy has left a lasting mark on Windham—a painful reminder of how quickly violence can erupt, even in a close-knit community.
