OXFORD COUNTY, Maine — Law enforcement officials in Oxford County were searching for a man from Gilead who they say is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Jacob McGurn, 28, is alleged to have fired a gun several times during a physical confrontation with an adult male early on July 4 at a residence in the town of Gilead, fleeing the area before law enforcement arrived, according to a news release from the Oxford County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the scene on Gilead Road around 4 a.m. to investigate the incident and learned that McGurn was apparently involved in a violent confrontation in Bethel prior to the alleged shooting incident in nearby Gilead.
"Deputies processed both crime scenes, collected evidence, and seized several firearms," Maj. Dana Thompson said in the news release.
The sheriff's office shared a post on its Facebook page around 11:30 a.m. Thursday alerting the public about the search, asking for help if anyone had information about his whereabouts.
However, the agency urged anyone who may have spotted McGurn to not approach him and asked people to instead call them at 207-743-9554.
"McGurn should be considered armed and dangerous," the post stated. "If you know [his] whereabouts, please contact the sheriff's office and do not approach."
The sheriff's office responded to a few questions posed in the comments section of their original Facebook post. Oxford County officials said he was "on foot" when asked about a vehicle description and stated that he was last seen along Route 2 in Gilead.
McGurn faces numerous charges, according to the sheriff's office, that include reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, terrorizing, domestic violence assault, domestic violence criminal threatening, and driving to endanger.
"This case is still very much under investigation, and deputies have been searching for him throughout the day today and continue to until he is located," Thompson said in the release.