AUBURN — The Auburn Police Department’s Chief Deputy Tim Cougle reported that several calls were received from the area of Winter Street and Dennison Street early on New Year’s Day. Callers reported that a female had been shot in the leg.
Officers discovered a 16-year-old girl from Lewiston with a gunshot wound. Officers used a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, and the girl was transported to the hospital in an ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.
Her 17-year-old sister was also admitted to the hospital with minor injuries.
The investigation revealed that the girls were walking down Dennison Street around 5 a.m. when they were approached by a car.
A black male and a white female exited the vehicle and began assaulting the 17-year-old girl. During the fight, a gun went off, striking the young girl.
According to the victims and witnesses, the 16-year-old stabbed the male with her pocket knife in an attempt to defend her sister from the man’s assault.
Before the police arrived, the male suspect fled to Turner Street.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Andrew Shute at ajshute@auburnmaine.gov or (207) 333-6651, extension 2036.