The quiet community of Windham, Maine, was shaken Friday afternoon when a seemingly random act of gun violence unfolded in broad daylight, leaving one man dead and prompting an hours-long shelter-in-place.
The incident occurred along the busy Route 302 corridor, a stretch normally bustling with commuters and weekend traffic, and quickly escalated into a multi-agency response involving local police, state authorities, and tactical teams.
According to the Maine State Police, Windham officers were first notified at approximately 1:55 p.m. Friday of a shooting at the intersection of Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) and Landing Road. Witnesses reported that a motorcyclist had been targeted in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting.
When officers arrived, they discovered 33-year-old Erin Hayne of Casco suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Several witnesses, along with a Maine Game Warden who happened to be in the area at the time, rushed to provide life-saving aid. Despite their efforts, Hayne succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eyewitness Accounts
Accounts from witnesses describe a harrowing series of moments leading up to Hayne’s death. Investigators learned that a silver sedan had pulled alongside the victim’s motorcycle as he traveled down Route 302. The driver allegedly rolled down the window, pointed a firearm, and opened fire—striking Hayne multiple times before speeding away.
Several bystanders were forced to duck for cover as the shots rang out. Others quickly attempted to help the victim while simultaneously calling 911. Police later confirmed that some witnesses, traveling in a U-Haul truck, began following the suspect’s vehicle while relaying updates to dispatchers. They were able to provide a license plate number before losing sight of the car near the Raymond/Windham town line.
Massive Police Response
Within minutes, officers from Windham, Raymond, and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office mobilized across the area. The sheriff’s deputies soon located the silver sedan parked behind a Dunkin’ location on Route 302 in Raymond. However, the vehicle was empty, and the suspect was nowhere in sight.
Given the uncertainty about the suspect’s location, authorities quickly established a perimeter and issued a shelter-in-place order, urging residents to stay inside and avoid the area. Nearby businesses were placed on lockdown as tactical teams worked to secure the scene.
Search and Discovery
The Maine State Police Tactical Team, assisted by a K9 unit, began an intensive ground search around the area where the abandoned vehicle had been discovered. After tracking through wooded terrain, officers located the body of the suspect, later identified as 48-year-old James Ford of Windham. Ford was the registered owner of the vehicle used in the shooting.
Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting, though they emphasized that there is no longer a threat to the public. The discovery of Ford’s body brought the immediate manhunt to an end but left lingering questions about what led to the fatal confrontation on Route 302.
Community Impact
Friday’s events sent shockwaves through Windham and neighboring towns. Route 302, a major artery in Cumberland County, was shut down for hours as investigators processed the crime scene and coordinated the manhunt. Residents expressed fear and disbelief, with many taking to social media to share updates and reassure loved ones.
For those who knew Erin Hayne, the tragedy was personal and devastating. Friends described him as a kind and hardworking individual, someone whose life was taken far too soon in an act of senseless violence.
Ongoing Investigation
Maine State Police say the investigation remains active. Detectives are piecing together the timeline of events and working to determine whether Hayne and Ford knew each other, or whether the shooting was truly random. Autopsies for both men are expected to be conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta.
While many questions remain, Friday’s violence has left an indelible mark on Windham. What began as an ordinary afternoon commute turned into a scene of tragedy and fear—one that residents will not soon forget.
