In the quiet town of North Windham, Maine, a sunny Friday afternoon turned tragic on August 15, 2025, when a senseless act of violence claimed the life of 33-year-old Erin Hayne from Casco. The bustling intersection of Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) and Landing Road became the scene of a chilling shooting that left a community in shock and mourning. As the dust settles and investigators piece together the events, a haunting story of a random act of violence and its aftermath emerges.

It was just before 2 p.m. when the Windham Police Department received frantic calls reporting gunfire. Witnesses described a harrowing scene: a silver sedan pulled alongside a motorcyclist at the intersection, and multiple shots rang out. The victim, later identified as Erin Hayne, a vibrant young man from nearby Casco, collapsed from multiple gunshot wounds. A Maine Game Warden, who happened to be nearby, joined bystanders in a desperate attempt to save Hayne’s life, performing CPR amidst the chaos. Despite their efforts and the swift response of the Windham Fire Department, Hayne was pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut short in a moment of inexplicable brutality.

As police swarmed the area, witnesses provided critical details. A silver sedan, driven by the shooter, sped away toward Raymond, leaving behind a trail of fear and confusion. In a remarkable act of bravery, occupants of a U-Haul truck followed the fleeing vehicle, relaying its license plate to 911 dispatchers. Their pursuit ended near the Raymond-Windham town line when they lost sight of the car, but their quick thinking gave law enforcement a vital lead.

The Maine State Police, Windham Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and Maine Warden Service descended on the region, initiating a manhunt that put North Windham and nearby Raymond under a shelter-in-place order. Hours later, deputies located the suspect’s silver sedan, abandoned behind a Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 302 in Raymond. The vehicle was empty, but a Maine State Police Tactical Team, aided by a K9 unit, combed the wooded terrain nearby. Their search led to a grim discovery: the body of 48-year-old James Ford, a Windham resident identified as the shooter. Ford had died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending the manhunt with a somber conclusion.

Autopsies conducted on August 16 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the tragic details. Erin Hayne’s death was ruled a homicide, the result of multiple gunshot wounds. James Ford’s death, caused by a single gunshot, was determined to be a suicide. Investigators worked tirelessly to uncover a motive, but as of now, no connection has been found between Hayne and Ford. Ford, who lived alone and was seen as the sole occupant of the sedan, left his apartment shortly before the shooting, carrying out an act that has left investigators and the community searching for answers.

Route 302, a vital artery in Windham, was closed for nearly six hours as the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team meticulously documented the scene and collected evidence. The shelter-in-place order, lifted just after 7 p.m., allowed residents to breathe a cautious sigh of relief, but the weight of the tragedy lingered. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South continues to lead the investigation, appealing to the public for any video footage or information from those traveling on Route 302 at the time of the incident.

This heartbreaking event has left North Windham grappling with loss and unanswered questions. Erin Hayne, described by those who knew him as a kind and spirited individual, was taken too soon in an act of violence that defies explanation. James Ford, the man responsible, chose to end his own life, leaving behind a mystery that may never be fully unraveled. As the community mourns, the collaborative efforts of the Windham Police, Maine State Police, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Warden Service, and local fire departments stand as a testament to their dedication to justice and public safety.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward. In the wake of this tragedy, North Windham holds tight to its resilience, honoring the memory of Erin Hayne and seeking healing in the face of unimaginable loss.