LEWISTON, Maine — A family in Lewiston is grieving after a 17-year-old boy was found dead near his home Sunday at Hillview Apartments.
Maine Department of Public Safety officials said law enforcement responded around 10:30 p.m. to a report of gunshots heard in the area of 77 Rideout Ave. When Lewiston police arrived at the scene, that's when they found the boy lying in the road.
Maine State Police officials said the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body was brought to the chief medical examiner's office, where an autopsy would confirm cause and manner of death.
The boy was later identified as Sahal Muridi. Neighbors in the area said they saw Muridi's body lying in the street. Loved ones said they are still in shock.
Lewiston Public Schools' superintendent Jake Langlais visited the grieving family's home to pay his respects. He said the boy's death is a parent's worst nightmare.
"These are kids. These are children. And it's really sad," Langlais said. "Sahal was known and liked. He was a mentor at a local organization. He had job. He was in school. It's definitely hard to process right now."
Muridi's family gathered Sunday near their home, but they were all too devastated to speak on camera.
Neighbors like Alison Buck said they are still shocked by the events of Sunday night and concerned for their own families.
"There should be meetings or something where we're coming together as a community and trying to figure this out together, because that's just a kid. I've got kids, and I don't even let them come out here and play anymore because of everything that's been going on," Buck said.
The apartments are a part of the Lewiston Housing Authority. Executive Director Chris Kilmurry issued a statement on behalf of Muridi's death.
"We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of our resident last night. We are actively cooperating with police in this ongoing investigation," the statement read.
State police said witnesses at the scene reported seeing a silver Mercedes and a black Dodge Charger or Challenger flee the area.
Police said the Dodge had a temporary Maine registration plate. According to police, the driver of the Mercedes was cooperating with the investigation.
MSP said the medical examiner's office was completing an autopsy Monday to determine Muridi's official cause of death, but the results had not been shared by the time of publication.
This incident is just one of three shootings that happened in Lewiston over the weekend.
Lewiston police said officers also responded to another call about shots fired on 54 Knox St. around 11:30 p.m. Sunday where officers saw several shell casings and property that was hit with bullets.
There was also a drive-by shooting incident shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday at 253 Blake St. Police said a parked vehicle was riddled with bullets. According to Lewiston police, witnesses reported seeing a man get out of his car on Blake Street and fire off several gunshots. Police said the suspected shooter and the person who was shot at left the scene.
However, police said there was no indication that anyone was injured in the shootings on Blake and Knox streets.
Buck said she has been seeing a rise in crime striking the area, telling NEWS CENTER Maine her car was stolen and used in a shooting in November.
"They never found who did that. So, since then, I kind of just have been very leery about everything," Buck said. "I'm just trying to move. I just hope that they do something about this because it's getting really bad."
Langlais said the reality of Murudi's suspicious death is still setting in and said he believes everyone should be thinking of ways to better improve gun control.
"I wouldn't have picked this. You know, if you think of kids sometimes who are having a hard time, and you're not sure where they're headed—this wasn't that kid," Langlais said. "I think we have to do something as a society, as a whole to talk about gun safety and securing weapons. And I think that's a logical step, that we have to secure guns that are in the wrong hands."
Lewiston police said the department would be increasing their presence in the city in light of the recent incidents of violence that occurred over the weekend.
Police Chief David St. Pierre said in a statement issued Monday that violence has no place in the city. St. Pierre said officers would be patrolling various areas on foot and in police cruisers.
On Tuesday, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline issued a statement, reminding the community to stay Lewiston Strong.
"My heart goes out to Sahal’s family," the statement read. "His death represents a tragic loss for our community and a young life cut short. There is no place for violence in our city. We must come together and remain Lewiston Strong."
Maine State Police and Lewiston Police Department are still investigating all of the incidents that happened over the weekend.
Both agencies ask that anyone with information about any of the incidents or any possible witnesses to contact them.