The Latest: Sheriff to suspect: 'Turn yourself in'

By: The Associated Press

Thursday, April 26, 2018 11:05 AM

NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine (AP) The Latest on the fatal shooting of a Maine sheriff's deputy (all times local):

9:20 a.m.

A Maine county sheriff is imploring a man sought in the killing of a deputy to turn himself in.

The fatal shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole on Wednesday in Norridgewock has triggered an intensive search for 29-year-old John Williams in and around the heavily wooded rural community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Bangor. It's believed to be the first killing of a law enforcement officer in Maine in nearly 30 years.

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said at a news conference Thursday they have some belief that Williams is still in the area. He said officers have been assigned to area schools.

Lancaster said 175 to 200 officers from multiple agencies have been working on the case.

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12:26 a.m.

A manhunt is underway for the suspect in what is believed to be the first killing of a law enforcement officer in Maine in nearly 30 years.

The fatal shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole on Wednesday in Norridgewock triggered an intensive search for 29-year-old John Williams in and around the heavily wooded rural community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Bangor.

Officials say the Madison man was scheduled to appear in court to face gun charges when he killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store.

The Maine Department of Public Safety says the last time someone killed an officer in the line of duty was in 1989.

Law enforcement officials say Williams has arrest records in Maine, Tennessee and Massachusetts.

The Latest: Sheriff to suspect: 'Turn yourself in'

This 2007 photo shows Somerset County Cpl. Sheriff Eugene Cole , who was killed early Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine. A search is underway for a suspect who stole the deputy's cruiser and robbed a convenience store afterward. (Jeff Pouland/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

The Associated Press

This undated photo released by the Maine State Police shows John Williams of Madison, Maine, who is being sought in connection with the shooting of a Somerset County sheriff's deputy Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine. Deputy Eugene Cole was killed while responding to a reported robbery. (Maine State Police via AP)

The Associated Press

This undated identification photo released by the Maine State Police shows John Williams of Madison, Maine, who is being sought in connection with the shooting of a Somerset County sheriff's deputy very early Wednesday morning, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine. Deputy Eugene Cole was killed while responding to a reported robbery. Police said Cole had been a deputy for 13 years and has a son. (Maine State Police via AP)

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Maine State trooper William Plourde checks a vehicle at the town line of Oakland and Fairfield on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, after Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy Eugene Cole was killed overnight in nearby Norridgewock, Maine. A Maine man killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store early Wednesday, officials said. (Michael G. Seamans/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

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Officers work the scene of a shooting at a Cumberland Farms convenience store in Norridgewock, Maine, Wednesday, April 25, 2018. A Maine man killed a sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed the convenience store early Wednesday, triggering an intensive manhunt in the rural town in central Maine. (Lexie O'Connor/WGME via AP )

The Associated Press

Police spread out to search on North Street in Skowhegan, Maine, on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, after Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy Eugene Cole was killed overnight in nearby Norridgewock, Maine. A Maine man killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store early Wednesday, officials said. (David Leaming/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

The Associated Press

Police officers stand along U.S. Route 2 on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine, after Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy Eugene Cole was killed there overnight. A Maine man killed the sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store early Wednesday, officials said. (David Leaming/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

The Associated Press

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster, center, speaks with the media, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine, after deputy Eugene Cole was killed overnight. Accompanying Lancaster are, from left, John Cote of Maine State Police, Franklin Sheriff Scott Nichols, Lancaster, Penobscot Sheriff Troy Morton an Kennebec Sheriff Ken Mason. (David Leaming//The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

The Associated Press

A Maine State Police van transports the body of slain Somerset Sheriff's Deputy Eugene Cole from the scene, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, who was shot to death overnight in Norridgewock, Maine. The suspect stole the deputy's cruiser and robbed a convenience store. (David Leaming/The Central Maine Morning Sentinel via AP)

The Associated Press

This dash cam photo released by the Maine State Police shows John Williams of Madison, Maine, robbing a convenience store Wednesday morning, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine. Maine authorities are searching for Williams, who they say fatally shot a sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed the Cumberland Farms store. (Maine State Police via AP)

The Associated Press

This dash cam photo released by the Maine State Police shows John Williams of Madison, Maine, after robbing a convenience store Wednesday morning, April 25, 2018, in Norridgewock, Maine. Maine authorities are searching for Williams, who they say fatally shot a sheriff's deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed the Cumberland Farms store. (Maine State Police via AP)

The Associated Press