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Two Oxford County Deputies Cleared in Shooting Death of Canton Man
In a recent development, two Oxford County sheriff’s deputies have been cleared in the shooting death of 23-year-old Sean Dyment in October 2023. The Maine attorney general’s office, which investigates any instance of deadly force used by officers in the state, released their findings on Friday.
Incident at Rumford Police Department
The incident began when a woman called the police to report that Dyment was following her in another vehicle. Concerned for her safety and that of her young son, she drove to the Rumford Police Department where officers were waiting to assist her.
Oxford County sheriff’s deputies Matthew Steinort and Cpl. Joshua Aylward, along with Mexico Police Officer Ashley Rich, responded to the call and were at the station when Dyment arrived in a vehicle matching the description given by the woman. Dyment had reportedly made ominous statements to Aylward earlier that day.
Confrontation Outside the Station
As Dyment approached the station, he began yelling, swearing, and making threats towards the officers. Steinort, trying to protect the woman, blocked Dyment’s vehicle in with his cruiser. When Dyment was seen pointing a weapon towards the officers, Steinort ordered him to drop it.
Ignoring commands, Dyment allegedly racked his rifle or long gun, prompting both Steinort and Aylward to open fire, fatally shooting Dyment. The Maine medical examiner’s office later confirmed Dyment’s cause of death as gunshot wounds, with toxicology results revealing the presence of amphetamines and methamphetamine in his system.
Investigation Findings
Following a thorough investigation, it was concluded that Steinort and Aylward believed Dyment posed an imminent threat to the officers and acted in self-defense and defense of others when they used deadly force.
The recovered Palmetto State Armory Model AK-1035 rifle, loaded and ready for use, further supported the officers’ actions in response to the perceived threat. The investigators stated that all facts and circumstances pointed to the deputies acting reasonably in the situation.
Overall, the incident at the Rumford Police Department highlights the challenging and dangerous situations law enforcement officers face daily in the line of duty.
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