By LCN Staff
A 40-year-old Harpswell man is in custody at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset after allegedly discharging a firearm prior to and following a car accident in Nobleboro Thursday, Dec. 3.
According to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Mackenzie was arrested in Nobleboro after a sheriff’s deputy located him walking south on Center Street, near the scene of the crash.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Rand Maker said Mackenzie allegedly fired shots before and after the accident. Deputies recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and spent casings during their investigation.
Mackenzie faces one count of operating under the influence and two counts of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
Maker described the crash as a single-vehicle accident with the car ending up in a ditch without substantial damage.
The Damariscotta Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
“When confronted, Mr. Mackenzie initially refused to cooperate with commands,” according to the press release. “He was placed into custody with a minimal amount of force.”
According to the release, the Lincoln County Communications Center received a report of shots fired on Center Street in Damariscotta at 8:30 p.m., followed by a separate report of a traffic crash on Center Street in Nobleboro.
“While the deputy was responding to investigate this nearby crash, an additional report was received that the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash had fired a weapon into the air,” according to the press release.
When the deputy and a Damariscotta police officer arrived at the scene of the crash, the driver had fled. A second deputy located Mackenzie.
Mackenzie was transported to Two Bridges following an evaluation at a local hospital. As of noon Friday, he remains in custody. He was expected to make an initial appearance in court Friday.
“Deputies are continuing their investigation into Mr. Mackenzie’s motivation for his actions,” according to the press release.
“We have a theory of what the motivation was but we are still investigating that at this time,” Maker said.
“We have more interviews to conduct and evidence we need to process,” Maker said.