The fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man by Portland police in December 2023 has been ruled as a justified shooting by the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
Police were searching for 42-year-old Kyle Desmarais late on the night of Dec. 17 after receiving a report about an aggravated assault during which he had allegedly displayed a handgun. Officers Jacob Webster and Jordin Jackson stopped Desmarais when they spotted his vehicle heading south on I-295, and attempted to communicate with him.
Desmarais allegedly exited his vehicle and pointed a gun at Webster and Jackson, before gunshots were exchanged.
According to the Maine attorney general’s report released on Friday, an investigation found 15 shells that were fired from Desmaris’ firearm toward the officers, and Jackson had reason to believe that he was being shot at.
Desmarais received fatal wounds at the scene of the confrontation, and officials attempted to provide medical aid. Desmarais died at the scene.
Webster and Jackson were placed on leave following the fatal shooting, and the Portland Police Department is conducting its own review of the shooting, according to Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois.
