– Arsonist shooting suspect
– Shooting suspect out on bail.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : AUBURN — A Lewiston resident was fatally shot on a rooftop on Russell Avenue in the early hours of Saturday morning after allegedly breaking into a home, engaging in a physical altercation with a man, setting fire to two residences, and firing shots at law enforcement officers, according to authorities.
Leein Amos Hinkley, aged 43, was pronounced dead on Saturday morning following a confrontation with local and state police. Prior to the incident, Hinkley had been released on $1,500 bail on Wednesday for probation violations and violent crime charges dating back to 2011 and May 2024.
During a joint press conference held on Saturday afternoon by the Maine State Police and Auburn Police Department, officials revealed some details about the chaotic events that unfolded, leaving behind a deceased gunman, two burnt properties, a missing individual, and a shaken neighbourhood.
Deputy Chief Tim Cougle of the Auburn Police Department disclosed that a distress call was received around 12:57 a.m. from a woman at a residence on Russell Avenue, reporting that her partner was involved in a physical altercation with an intruder attempting to enter their home.
“The woman’s partner is currently unaccounted for,” Cougle stated.
Gunshots were audible over the phone, and as officers were en route to the scene, dispatch reported that the woman had escaped her home through a window.
Auburn police located the woman at 1:09 a.m. at a different address further down Russell Avenue. Simultaneously, law enforcement discovered that the woman’s residence was engulfed in flames and heard cries emanating from inside the property. Shortly after, the woman identified Hinkley as the individual attempting to break into her home.
Hinkley commenced firing shots at Auburn police and Androscoggin County Sheriff’s deputies around 1:15 a.m. and moments later began shouting at officers from inside the residence. Subsequently, a tactical team from the Maine State Police arrived on the scene to provide assistance.
Around 1:27 a.m., Hinkley unleashed a second round of gunfire before fleeing the premises as emergency responders noted that a second property was also on fire.
Taking shelter in a neighbouring garage, Hinkley absconded once more when the homeowner alerted the authorities.
Resident Gillian Johnson recounted to the Sun Journal that her power cut out around 2 a.m., and she heard what sounded like fireworks or firecrackers.
“We saw a fire outside the window,” Johnson recalled. “Initially, we assumed it was just some kids making a mistake and playing around, but at 2:40 a.m., approximately 20 police units arrived. Then, around 30 minutes later, SWAT teams, K-9 units, and a drone were present.”
According to State Police Col. William Ross, after fleeing the garage, Hinkley accessed the rooftop of a property at 33 Russell Ave., where he remained until approximately 5:36 a.m. when state troopers fatally shot him.
Troopers Scott Duff and Patrick Hall have been placed on administrative leave while the Attorney General’s Office conducts an investigation into the incident. The office is responsible for investigating all police-involved shootings. Additionally, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is probing the underlying criminal aspects and conduct of the case.
“It was a very frightening experience,” shared Hosannah Cousineau, a neighbouring resident. After making two calls to 911 regarding the fire, she expressed confusion as to why fire trucks did not respond promptly. She was instructed to shelter in place and avoid windows.
At around 5:30 a.m., the suspect appeared on the roof and shouted, “‘Story time! No one wants to hear the truth. I just want my family with me,'” Cousineau recounted.
At that moment, a tactical team intervened and shot Hinkley.
“I witnessed everything unfold from my backyard,” Cousineau said. “The noises were terrifying — a loud whooshing followed by loud bangs as propane or oil tanks exploded! The flames were towering…We were concerned the fire would spread to our home. Unfortunately, I witnessed the conclusion — I fully expected him to be taken into custody. I did not anticipate witnessing a fatality on a roof from my living room window. I am somewhat in shock.”
Cousineau overheard the female victim weeping while speaking on the phone a few hours later. Although relieved to have escaped, she was devastated that her home and all her belongings were destroyed in the fire. Cousineau also mentioned receiving messages from individuals acquainted with Hinkley, indicating that he had recently been released from jail.
During the press conference on Saturday, Col. Ross revealed that the district attorney’s office had objected to the reduced bail amount of $1,500 and the house arrest mandate imposed on Hinkley on Wednesday. The conditions of Hinkley’s release included remaining at 90 No Name Pond Road in Lewiston except for essential reasons such as legal, medical, or employment matters, refraining from travelling on Russell Avenue, and having no contact with Morgan Vellaro, listed as the owner of 5 Russell Ave. on Auburn’s tax assessment database.
The no-contact directive involving Vellaro stemmed from a May 24 arrest on charges of domestic violence aggravated assault and domestic violence assault.
Col. Ross further disclosed that Hinkley’s probation violation was linked to the May charges and a 2011 conviction for crimes involving domestic violence elevated aggravated assault.
“He was remanded without bail for the probation violation. Despite objections from the district attorney’s office, the court reduced his bail to $1,500 concurrently with stipulations including house arrest,” Ross stated.
Hinkley was previously serving a 20-year sentence, with five years suspended, for the 2011 stabbing of his former girlfriend and a man who intervened in the altercation.
Good Samaritan John Clark from Lisbon responded to cries coming from a vehicle parked in his driveway on February 27, 2011. Upon approaching the car, Clark found Hinkley punching Jennifer Alexander, who was seated in the driver’s seat and already bleeding from stab wounds. Alexander implored Clark to dial 911. When Clark attempted to free Alexander, Hinkley stabbed him in the shoulder with a pocketknife before fleeing with the couple’s 14-month-old baby.
Hinkley was eventually subdued by his family at their Sabattus residence after he seized a shotgun and ammunition and fled towards the woods behind the property.
Hinkley’s father, Leon Hinkley, disclosed that his son had been expressing suicidal thoughts for several weeks.
During the sentencing hearing on July 31, 2012, Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Worden advocated for a 20-year prison term, noting that Alexander lived in constant fear. Out of fear, Alexander remained within the district attorney’s office during the proceedings.
“It’s regrettable that Mr. Hinkley wasn’t identified as the ticking time bomb that he is,” Worden remarked during the sentencing. “Someone in the court system should have been more alert. We could have handled the situation better.”
This updated report includes additional details and insights into the tragic events that transpired in Auburn over the weekend. For more information and updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our coverage.
[Staff writers Mark LaFlamme and Marla Hoffman contributed to this report.].
– Arsonist shooting suspect killed by police
– Shooting suspect out on bail, say police.
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