Hancock County sheriff's deputy shoots, injures man who allegedly threatened to burn down house

Oct. 6—A Hancock County sheriff's deputy on Saturday shot and injured a Stonington man who allegedly had a weapon and was threatening to burn down a home.

Police responded to 47 Weed Field Road around 4 p.m. Saturday after a woman reported that her son was threatening to burn down their house, the sheriff's department said in a news release Sunday.

Deputy John Stanley found the suspect, 35-year-old Erik-Thor Himpler, walking on the street. Stanley told Himpler to stop, but Himpler allegedly refused and pulled a firearm from his waistband. Stanley then shot Himpler.

Himpler was taken to Blue Hill Hospital, then to Eastern Maine Medical Center. The sheriff's department said Himpler's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Stanley will be placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, as is standard protocol, and the Office of the Attorney General will investigate the use of deadly force. Maine State Police are assisting with the investigation, the release said.

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