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Sheriff's deputy shot during altercation and house fire in Minot

A sergeant with the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office was shot in the leg and taken to a nearby hospital for surgery, officials said.

MINOT, Maine — Maine State Police and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the circumstances that led to a shooting and a fire Wednesday morning at a home in Minot.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint around 4:05 a.m. about a disturbance at a home on Woodman Hill Road, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a release.

Law enforcement responded to the residence, and Sgt. Randy Williams, 43, was shot in the leg during an altercation, Moss said. Williams was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where he would undergo surgery, and he was expected to survive, according to the release.

On Friday, Chief Deputy William Gagne with the sheriff's office told NEWS CENTER Maine that Sgt. Williams has since been released from the hospital and is recovering

After the altercation, a fire started at the home, prompting a response from several area fire departments, the release stated. Officials have not said the severity of the damage caused by the fire. The homeowners were not injured.

The shooting suspect, identified as 42-year-old Corey Hamel of Minot, is in custody and there is no threat to the public, Moss said.

"Hamel was staying at the residence," Moss said. "Hamel is a prohibited person on probation for three separate counts of violation of conditional release."

Hamel was charged with aggravated attempted murder and arson and will be arraigned at 1 p.m. Friday.

State police and fire marshal's office investigators were expected to be at the scene throughout the morning Wednesday collecting evidence and conducting interviews, the release stated.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office said Woodman Hill Road was closed between Route 121 and Millett Road because of a "structure fire and ongoing criminal investigation." Officials said the road would remain closed "for some time" and encouraged drivers to avoid the area.

NEWS CENTER Maine sent crews to the scene.

In a social media post, the town of Minot said the town office would delay opening until 10 a.m., adding online services would still be available.

Regional School Unit 16, which includes the towns of Minot, Mechanic Falls, and Poland, said buses may be late to pick students up due to the road closures in place.

Moss said more information would be released at a later time.

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