On a seemingly ordinary Friday afternoon, August 15, 2025, the quiet town of North Windham, Maine, was thrust into chaos as a shooting incident unfolded along Route 302, leaving residents on edge and authorities scrambling to secure the area. The bustling commercial strip, home to familiar businesses like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Lowe’s, became the scene of a chilling event that has gripped the community with fear and uncertainty.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., the sharp crack of gunshots shattered the calm, echoing through the busy corridor near the intersection of Route 302 and Landing Road. According to witnesses, the gunfire erupted in broad daylight, with one McDonald’s employee at 790 Roosevelt Trail reporting hearing multiple shots and observing a heavy police presence outside the restaurant. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Kevin Joyce, swiftly confirmed that law enforcement was responding to a reported shooting, but details remained scarce in the initial hours.

As the situation developed, a grim discovery intensified the gravity of the incident. Maine’s Total Coverage reporter Cate McCusker, on the scene, spotted a body lying in the middle of Route 302, covered by a tarp, a haunting image that underscored the severity of the event. Authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities officially, but the presence of the body has raised concerns about the potential loss of life.

In response to the unfolding crisis, the Cumberland County Regional Communications Center announced at 2:20 p.m. that Route 302 would be closed at Landing Road for an extended period, disrupting traffic and local businesses in the area. The closure, described as necessary due to a “police incident,” has left the community in limbo as investigators work to piece together the circumstances of the shooting.

Maine State Police have joined forces with the Windham Police Department to lead the investigation, with troopers actively scouring the scene for evidence. Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for parts of Windham and Raymond, specifically targeting residents along Route 302 from Route 85 in Raymond to Whites Bridge Road in Windham, including surrounding side streets. The alert, sent to residents’ cellphones, urged people to lock their doors and remain indoors, as a gunman is believed to be at large. Reports indicate that the suspect was last seen near the Raymond town line, heightening fears of a continued threat.

The shelter-in-place order has cast a shadow over the region, with residents taking extraordinary precautions. One local, posting on social media, described arming themselves with an AK-47 for protection, a stark reflection of the tension gripping the community. Police have urged anyone witnessing suspicious activity to call 911 immediately, while those with information about the shooting are asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-624-7076.

Sheriff Joyce revealed that law enforcement is actively searching for a vehicle that fled the scene, though no description of the vehicle or suspect has been released. The lack of details about victims or suspects has only deepened the unease, as residents await answers in a community unaccustomed to such violence.

As the sun sets on North Windham, the once-vibrant Route 302 remains eerily quiet, cordoned off by police tape and marked by the heavy presence of law enforcement. The investigation continues to unfold, with authorities promising updates as more information becomes available. For now, the people of Windham and Raymond remain on high alert, united in their hope for resolution and safety in the wake of this tragic event.