Maine State Police Release New Details in Fatal Route 302 Shooting in Windham – The normally quiet town of Windham, Maine, was shaken Friday afternoon by a fatal shooting along the heavily traveled Route 302, leaving one man dead and triggering an extended shelter-in-place for residents. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, prompted a swift, multi-agency response, including local police, Cumberland County deputies, and the Maine State Police Tactical Team.
According to authorities, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) and Landing Road around 1:55 p.m., following reports of gunfire. Witnesses described a motorcyclist being targeted in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting. Upon arrival, first responders discovered 33-year-old Erin Hayne of Casco suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Efforts to save him, including aid from a Maine Game Warden on the scene, were unsuccessful. Hayne was pronounced dead at the location.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaotic moments leading up to the tragedy. A silver sedan reportedly pulled alongside Hayne’s motorcycle as he traveled down Route 302. The driver allegedly rolled down the window and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Some bystanders ducked for cover, while others immediately called 911 and attempted to assist the victim. Notably, a group of witnesses in a U-Haul truck followed the fleeing vehicle and provided dispatchers with the license plate number before losing sight of it near the Raymond/Windham town line.
Police quickly mobilized across the area, with Windham, Raymond, and Cumberland County officers responding within minutes. Deputies located the silver sedan abandoned behind a Dunkin’ on Route 302 in Raymond, but the suspect was not present. A shelter-in-place order was issued, and nearby businesses were placed on lockdown while tactical teams and K9 units conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area.
The search concluded with the discovery of the suspect’s body, later identified as 48-year-old James Ford of Windham, the registered owner of the sedan. Authorities have not disclosed a motive but confirmed that the public is no longer at risk. The discovery ended the immediate manhunt but left lingering questions about what prompted the deadly confrontation.
Friday’s events left a profound impact on the Windham community. Route 302, a major commuter artery, was closed for hours as investigators processed the scene and coordinated search efforts. Residents expressed shock and fear, sharing updates on social media and reaching out to loved ones. Friends and family of Hayne mourned the loss of a man described as kind, hardworking, and deeply missed by those who knew him.
Maine State Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are working to establish whether Hayne and Ford were known to each other or if the attack was random. Autopsies for both men are expected to be conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta.
What began as an ordinary afternoon commute ended in tragedy and grief, leaving Windham residents grappling with the reality of a violent act that shattered the calm of their community. The events of Friday will long be remembered as a stark reminder of life’s fragility and the sudden impact of senseless violence.
