(Posted Aug. 26)

The family of 29-year-old Michael Norton, killed by police during a standoff Monday, is questioning whether authorities could have avoided shooting him. Norton had been hospitalized for psychiatric problems and was apparently suicidal.

All major news outlets in Maine – and New England – have stories today on the fatal shooting and questions raised by family members and their attorney.

The Portland Press Herald leads its article with the decision by the Attorney General’s Office to investigate the incident, which took place just before dawn at an apartment, at 745 Main St. The two officers who shot and killed Norton-Benjamin Macisso and John Sutton-will be on paid leave while the situation is reviewed. The article notes that it was the second fatal shooting by police since 2006. The Boston Herald’s article also details other recent shootings by South Portland police.

WMTW-Channel 8 has edited its original video that played of the standoff and shooting. The TV news team was on the scene when the city’s Special Reaction Team fired as Norton emerged from his home and refused to put down a weapon he carried. The video on the Channel 8 Web site now only shows a portion of the standoff, because the entire scene was deemed inappropriate for viewers. The Providence Journal in Rhode Island reports that Ch. 8’s news director said the uncut video was too graphic. It is unclear whether the AG’s office will seek to review the entire video as part of its investigation.

Most of the media outlets – including Associated Press – are either not reporting the type of weapon Norton carried or saying that police will not disclose it. But WGME-Channel 13 reports that witnesses say the man was armed with a knife. WMTW’s video shows Norton’s hands by his side as he leaves the house. He is dressed in a T-shirt and shorts and appears to walk slowly toward officers in the brief, edited scene. Officers shout, “Put it down,” before shots are heard.

Here’s some background on Norton: He was the CFO of Maine Centers for Healthcare and owned the two-story duplex where police confronted him. Relatives had called police Sunday night because Norton was threatening suicide. This was the second call by police to the Norton home. Police had taken the man to a hospital for evaluation on Saturday night, after he appeared to pose a risk to himself.

Owen Pickus, the family’s attorney, said that Norton’s father originally called police and had hoped authorities could keep Norton from harming himself.