Kent Police Blotter: April 14

On April 14, 2021, a dramatic hostage situation unfolded in Mars Hill, Maine, when an Aroostook County sheriff's deputy shot and injured Lena Gerber while attempting to rescue her from the clutches of Jacob Wood, who was holding a knife to her throat. The incident has sparked a lawsuit against Deputy Isaac Ward and the Aroostook County Sheriff's Office, with Gerber alleging that the deputies failed to protect her and their actions caused her significant emotional distress.

According to court documents, Gerber filed suit in August with nine charges against the sheriff's office, Deputy Isaac Ward, and her former attorney, Jeffery Pickering. She claimed that she had a right not to be shot by police as a hostage victim, that deputies didn't use nonlethal means to negotiate with Wood, that the sheriff's office didn't properly educate deputies on hostage negotiations, and that deputies used excessive deadly force.

The lawsuit also alleged that Gerber suffered harm due to the sheriff's office's failure to educate Ward and other deputies on handling 'suicide by cop' situations. Gerber's attorneys argued that Pickering failed to file her claims before deadlines expired.

In response, attorneys from Wheeler & Arey of Bangor, representing the sheriff's office, filed a motion in October asking for partial dismissal of the lawsuit. The motion largely cited Gerber's delay in filing her claim as the reason for the request.

On Wednesday, District Court Judge Nancy Torresen dismissed four counts of the lawsuit, citing Gerber's failure to file her claims within the designated time frame. The ruling marks a significant setback for Gerber's legal team, which had argued that the sheriff's office was liable for the harm Gerber suffered.

The shooting incident itself occurred on April 14, 2021, when Wood, who was high on methamphetamine and drinking at the time, refused to drop his knife despite repeated orders from Deputy Ward. The deputy shot Wood twice, killing him and also hitting Gerber, who sustained injuries including grazed side and a fractured sternum.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with investigators from the Maine Attorney General's Office and the Maine State Police still gathering evidence and conducting interviews with witnesses. The incident has raised important questions about police protocol and training in hostage situations, particularly when dealing with individuals who may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In the wake of the lawsuit dismissal, Gerber's legal team is likely to appeal the decision, citing concerns that the sheriff's office's failure to properly educate deputies on 'suicide by cop' situations contributed to her harm. The case highlights the ongoing need for law enforcement agencies to prioritize de-escalation techniques and effective communication in high-pressure situations.

Kent police blotter april 14