A 29-year-old Presque Isle man is being treated at a Bangor hospital after a police-involved shooting Saturday evening on Main Street in Presque Isle.

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Shortly before 6 p.m., Presque Isle Police responded to multiple calls regarding an individual who was acting suspiciously, according to Police Chief Matt Irwin. One of those calls indicated that the man, later identified as Derek J. Sam of Presque Isle, had a knife and was near the McDonald’s restaurant on Main Street. The caller also indicated the man with the knife appeared to be bleeding, Irwin said.

Officer Lucas Hafford made contact with Sam in a parking lot adjacent to Congressman Bruce Poliquin's office at 631 Main Street.

After failing to comply with Officer Hafford’s instructions to drop the knife, the officer used his TASER in an effort to stop the man from approaching, Irwin said. The TASER was ineffective and Sam continued to approach the police officer. After several more commands to stop and drop the knife, Officer Hafford shot and wounded Sam, according to Chief Irwin.

Sam was immediately transported to The Aroostook Medical Center for treatment and then airlifted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. His condition is unknown.

As is the case with all police-involved shootings, the Office of the Attorney General is investigating the use of deadly force.

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