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Kourtney Sherwood

Age : 24

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 03/01/2022

Location : ME 196

City : Topsham

County : Sagadahoc

State : Maine

Agency : Topsham Police Department; Maine State Police

Officer(s) :Mathew Bowers; Nikolai Ruiz; Steve Thibeault; William Plourde

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during traffic stop

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 02/28/2022, Maine State Police Trooper William Plourde stopped Kourtney Sherwood on Route 196 near the Merrymeeting Bridge in Topsham after a traffic violation. After that stop ended, Sherwood remained in the area and her wife called 911 reporting she was in crisis and might have a gun. Topsham Police Department Officers Mathew Bowers and Nikolai Ruiz responded, along with Sagadahoc County Deputy Steve Thibeault. Officers spoke with Sherwood while she stayed in her pickup. During the encounter, Sherwood raised a handgun toward officers, according to the Maine Attorney General materials and the Deadly Force Review Panel report. Officer Mathew Bowers fired one round through the rear window, striking Sherwood in the head. Sherwood was taken to Maine Medical Center and died on 03/01/2022. Reporting included public pushback from Sherwood’s wife, who said she asked to come to the scene to help de escalate and was told no.
Reporting noted Sherwood was a mother of two young children. Her family publicly questioned the circumstances of the shooting and the level of force used. A vigil was held following her death, and community members expressed concern about the handling of the stop.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.pressherald.com/2022/03/01/topsham-officer-who-shot-woman-on-bridge-identified/
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/03/02/news/maine-state-police-investigate-topsham-police-shooting/
https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/crime/topsham-officer-identified-in-shooting-of-woman-on-bridge/97-93f1ed42-3c4c-4c2b-9b10-4e7af92e60b9/