The Maine Mall shooting suspect appeared in court from Cumberland County Jail Friday.
Ahmed Basheer Awad of Westbrook surrendered to police on Thursday.
He faces two felonies: elevated aggravated assault and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
On Friday, Awad’s defense attorney accused the victim of lying to police when he told officers he didn’t know who shot him.
The 20-year-old Awad could barely be seen in his video court appearance, but prosecutors say surveillance cameras at the Maine Mall videotaped almost his every move.
He’s accused of shooting a man Wednesday in the food court bathroom.
“From the surveillance video, you can then see the victim crawling out of the bathroom in an attempt to get away from the shooter,” a prosecutor said. “After he crawls out, the shooter follows, now holding a gun, a firearm, that’s visible in his hand. He appears on the video to speak with the alleged victim, who’s laying on the floor. Points the firearm at him, but does not shoot again.”
Prosecutors say the suspected shooter then went back into the bathroom, giving mall security guards time to pull the victim to safety.
Police say Awad was then seen leaving the mall before turning himself in the following night.
The prosecution asked for a $100,000 cash bail.
“He did talk to counsel. He turned himself in and is here to face the charges,” Awad’s defense attorney said. “He has family here. He does not have the ability, like all of us, to post a $100,000 bail.”
Awad’s defense attorney indicated to the court the shooting was in self-defense and asked for a $1,000 bail.
“There’s clearly self-defense,” the defense attorney said. “Based on the police report, the alleged victim is uncooperative and has gang affiliations.”
The court then set a higher bail amount.
“Bail needs to be set in a way to protect the public,” the judge said. “And there’s probable cause that somebody brought a gun into Maine Mall and shot somebody else. Whether or not there is a self-defense claim here, that will end up getting fleshed out at trial. But the court’s going to set bail at $250,000 cash.”
Several local police officers identified Awad from surveillance photos.
Police have given no motive for the shooting. The case now goes to a grand jury.
