Maine Police Officers Attacked With Fireworks While Helping Shooting Victim

PORTLAND, ME — Portland police officers were attacked with fireworks Monday while rendering aid to a man who was shot during a neighborhood Fourth of July celebration, according to authorities.

Portland police were called to Kennedy Park near Smith Street just after 11 p.m. Monday, authorities said. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Bashir Hassan, police said.

The officers immediately started to treat the victim, according to police. As they did, a crowd that had formed grew increasingly hostile toward the officers, police said. As officers worked, people in the crowd started shooting fireworks at them, according to police.

According to authorities, the attacks continued for several hours as officers remained on the scene. Several officers were struck with sparks from the fireworks, police said, leading authorities to deploy pepper balls into the groups of people targeting the officers.

According to police, this year is the second Portland officers were attacked with fireworks while responding to a call near Kennedy Park over the July 4 holiday weekend.

The gunshot victim was taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment, where he is listed in stable condition, police said.

Meanwhile, police are searching for a potential suspect in the shooting. The suspect is described as a Black male that is approximately 6 feet tall with a larger build. Police said there is no ongoing danger to the public.

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact 207-874-8575.