A Wednesday afternoon in early May ended with a 14-year-old in the hospital and a 13-year-old facing felony charges — the latest in a string of gun-related incidents involving minors that has rattled Lewiston's neighborhoods this spring.

The May 7 shooting at 4 Avon Street wasn't an isolated event. It was part of a pattern that city officials and residents can no longer write off as coincidence.

What Happened at 4 Avon Street

Around 4:30 p.m. on May 7, Lewiston police responded to reports of screaming and multiple gunshots near the intersection of Avon Street. When officers arrived, witnesses described several teenagers running from the scene.

A 14-year-old boy was found with a gunshot wound to his leg. He was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.

Police detained several teens in the area and recovered three handguns during the investigation. Two of those firearms had been reported stolen.

Two Arrests, Serious Charges

Within hours, two teenagers were in custody:

  • A 13-year-old boy was charged with elevated aggravated assault, a felony under Maine law. Investigators believe he fired the shot that struck the victim.
  • A 15-year-old boy was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Both were transported to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, the state's juvenile detention facility. Their names have not been released due to their ages.

At the time of the arrests, Lewiston police indicated the investigation was ongoing and additional charges were possible.

The Victim Faces His Own Charges

In a development that underscores just how tangled youth gun access has become in the city, the 14-year-old shooting victim was himself charged on May 20 — nearly two weeks after the incident.

The charges against the victim include:

  • Theft by receiving stolen property (a firearm)
  • Falsifying physical evidence

He was taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center following his arrest.

The fact that the victim was allegedly in possession of a stolen gun — and attempted to conceal evidence after the fact — adds a layer of complexity to an already troubling situation. This wasn't a case of an innocent bystander caught in crossfire. Multiple teens at the scene were armed, and at least two of the three recovered weapons were stolen.

A Spring That Won't Let Up

The Avon Street shooting didn't happen in a vacuum. Lewiston has seen an alarming concentration of violent incidents involving young people over just a few weeks this spring:

  • April 22 — A shooting on Walnut Street led to three people being charged.
  • April 28 — Gunshots were reported near Jefferson Street.
  • April 29 — A video of a group assault surfaced, resulting in seven juveniles being charged with aggravated assault.
  • April 30 — A shooting on Bartlett Street led to charges against a Turner man.
  • May 7 — The Avon Street shooting.

Five significant incidents in roughly two weeks, most of them involving teenagers or young adults, and most of them involving firearms.

Where Are the Guns Coming From?

That's the question hanging over all of this. Three handguns were recovered from the Avon Street scene alone. Two were stolen. The victim — a 14-year-old — was charged with possessing a stolen weapon.

This isn't a situation where one bad actor obtained a single firearm. Multiple minors at a single scene were carrying guns, and those guns were coming from somewhere. Whether they're being stolen from vehicles, taken from unsecured homes, or acquired through other channels, the pipeline of firearms reaching Lewiston's youngest residents is clearly not slowing down.

City Leaders Respond

Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline weighed in publicly, describing youth gun violence in the city as unacceptable. His statement emphasized the need to work with at-risk youth and support families — an acknowledgment that enforcement alone isn't solving the problem.

The mayor's comments reflect a growing frustration among city officials who have watched the same cycle repeat throughout the spring. Arrests are made, charges are filed, and weeks later another shooting makes the news.

What the Community Needs to Know

For residents living in and around these neighborhoods, the pattern raises real safety concerns. Multiple shootings happening in broad daylight — the Avon Street incident occurred at 4:30 in the afternoon — means these aren't late-night incidents happening out of sight.

Anyone with information related to the Avon Street shooting or other recent incidents is encouraged to contact Lewiston Police Detective David Allen at 207-513-0001, extension 3319.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was anyone killed in the Avon Street shooting?

No. The 14-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was treated at Central Maine Medical Center. His injuries were not life-threatening.

How old were the suspects?

The two individuals charged were 13 and 15 years old. Due to their ages, their names have not been publicly released.

What charges were filed?

The 13-year-old was charged with elevated aggravated assault (a felony). The 15-year-old was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The 14-year-old victim was later charged with theft by receiving stolen property and falsifying physical evidence.

Were the guns stolen?

Three handguns were recovered at the scene. Two of the three had been reported stolen.

Where are the suspects being held?

All three juveniles were taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine's juvenile detention facility.

Has there been other recent gun violence in Lewiston?

Yes. The Avon Street shooting was the fifth significant violent incident in Lewiston in roughly two weeks, including shootings on Walnut Street, Bartlett Street, and Jefferson Street, as well as a group assault involving seven juveniles.

Looking Ahead

The Avon Street shooting is a snapshot of a larger problem that Lewiston is grappling with in real time. Stolen firearms in the hands of children. Shootings happening in residential neighborhoods during daylight hours. A pace of violence that has outstripped what the city experienced in previous years.

The arrests and charges are one piece of the response. But the deeper questions — how teenagers are getting guns, what's driving the conflicts, and what resources are actually reaching at-risk youth — remain open.

Lewiston residents who want to get involved in community safety efforts or learn about local programs supporting at-risk youth can reach out to the city's community engagement office or attend upcoming city council meetings where public safety is on the agenda.

This is a developing story. Dirty Lew will continue to follow the investigation and any additional charges as they are announced.