BIDDEFORD — An argument over drugs appears to have been the reason behind the shooting deaths of two men in Biddeford earlier this month.

More information is now available about the events leading up to the deaths of Jeffrey Lude, 37, of Biddeford, and Russell Lavoie, 42, of Old Orchard Beach, both of whom died of multiple gunshot wounds on July 6 at 19 Western Ave. around 7 p.m.

On Friday, the courts released the impound on documents connected with the case.

An affidavit by Maine State Police Officer Scott Harakles filed with the York County Superior in Alfred includes information garnered from interviews with witnesses, some of whom were present during the shootings, and others who live near the Western Avenue residence and witnessed the aftermath.

Donald Cockran, the tenant of Apt. 101, where the incident occurred, said that in exchange for marijuana, cigarettes, food and gas, a man named “Pete” or “P” had been using the Western Street apartment for months to sell drugs.

Police said they are looking for a man named Fuquan Prince Wilson, 34, of Bronx, New York, who goes by the street name “P.” Based on witness testimony, Maine State Police Lt. Brian McDonough with the Major Crimes Division said on Friday, Wilson is believed to have shot Lude and Lavoie. The crime, which he said occurred when Lude and Lavoie attempted to steal drugs, may be ruled self-defense.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Wilson on a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. Wilson is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior drug charge in New York.

According to the affidavit, on July 6, Cockran had four friends at his apartment where they were watching movies and smoking marijuana.

According to the recounting of events by witnesses as described in the affidavit, the first altercation took place after Wilson arrived, at about 2 p.m., when he argued with Cockran’s guest, Lance Palmer. Palmer had a knife, and Wilson motioned as if he had a gun.

Palmer left and it was a couple hours after that that Lude and Lavoie came to the apartment looking for Wilson. The affidavit states that they entered the living room where Wilson and some other people were sitting, and one man immediately jumped on him and began beating him.

Several witnesses in the affidavit say Wilson was severely injured.

One of the men also pointed a gun at some of the witnesses, which was later identified as a pellet gun.

After the men left through the dining room, Wilson got up and followed them. According to the affidavit, Cockran said he followed Wilson and saw him raise his gun and begin firing at the men.

According to the affidavit, another witness, Gordon “Geno” Lowe, said that he heard shots, and saw one of the men get shot and then saw Wilson bleeding badly and holding a silver handgun with a black handle. Lowe said he ran out of the house when Wilson pointed the gun at him.

After that, everyone but Cockran ran away from the scene, the affidavit states.

Wilson followed one of the witnesses, Haley Barrett, and forced her to let him in her car, according to the affidavit. She said she drove him to Concord Trailways in Portland, where he got a cab.

After being shot, Lude and Lavoie made their way out of the house. One died at the scene and the other during surgery at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

The affidavit states that one of those in the apartment during the shootings identified Wilson in a photo lineup as the person suspected of the shootings.

During a search of the apartment, police found 14 9mm casings in the dining room. Other evidence found at the scene included an Airsoft pellet gun, spoons with a white powder residue, needles, marijuana and clear plastic bags containing a visible amount of a white substance, police reported.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.