Sean Grossman of Westbrook, who was shot in the face during a confrontation with Westbrook police Saturday, was booked at Cumberland County Jail on Monday on charges relating to the incident, where he was armed with a handgun and threatening suicide.
Grossman was released from Maine Medical Center Monday afternoon. His first court appearance was Tuesday, after which his bail was set.
According to a press release from Westbrook Police Chief Janine Roberts, Officer Benjamin Hall shot Grossman while Grossman was armed and in a “physical confrontation” with Detective Daniel Violette.
Several police cruisers from Westbrook and Gorham were at the scene at 108 Longfellow St. at 6:15 a.m. Saturday, responding to the incident. Neighbors who gathered near the scene said a gunshot was heard.
According to the release, Grossman, 26, of Westbrook, was shot in the “face/forehead” area.
He entered the hospital Saturday in serious condition.
According to Roberts, the Westbrook Police Department and the Maine Attorney General’s Office are both conducting investigations. The Attorney General’s Office investigates all officer-involved shootings in the state.
Grossman’s father, Jeff Grossman, was a former city administrator in Westbrook, serving from 1993-1996. Since then, he has been town manager of Boothbay Harbor, South Berwick and Islesboro.
Roberts said Westbrook’s investigation is focused on criminal charges against Grossman related to a domestic violence incident prior to his contact with Westbrook police officers Saturday, and criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon for his actions during the altercation with the officers.
Roberts said the Westbrook Police Department is charging Grossman with domestic violence assault, domestic violence criminal threatening, domestic violence terrorizing, kidnapping, violation of conditional release, and refusing to submit to arrest. In the days following the incident, police also said they would charge Grossman with three counts of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
“All these charges are related to incidents Mr. Grossman was involved in between the hours of 1:30 a.m.-5:30 a.m. on April 2, 2016,” the release states.
Roberts said Westbrook police have had prior contact with Grossman, including incidents that resulted in criminal convictions for criminal use of disabling chemicals and assault in 2011, disorderly conduct in 2010, and theft in 2008.
Previous posts on Grossman’s personal Facebook account, as recently as March 22, had hinted at issues with depression, some including song lyrics mentioning suicide.
A Gorham police cruiser arrives at the scene of a domestic violence and officer-involved shooting incident early Saturday in Westbrook.
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