Brina Kelley Shooting Suspicion |

Brina Kelley Shooting Suspicion

Although crimes usually begin suddenly, they do not always end as abruptly. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances, the incident has the ability to rage on for countless hours, or in some extreme situations, even days. During this time, the police are at the mercy of the suspect, fearing what they might do. Since the police can never be sure exactly what someone is capable of doing under these conditions it is best to wait until the situation can be resolved in as peaceful a manner as possible.

This was the scene recently in Portland when a man held police at bay for six hours. The incident started earlier in the day at around 11 AM when a woman walking down the street was shot in the chest by what police believe was a pellet gun. The suspect, 48-year-old Brina Kelley, shot the woman from his apartment window. It appears that the shooting was a random act since Kelley did not know the woman.

When police were summoned to Kelley’s apartment he refused to surrender. That started the six-hour ordeal during which police tried negotiating with Kelley for his surrender. Since they were unsure as to whether or not Kelley had other weapons in his possession, they had to resort to trying to talk him into giving himself up. Finally, police used tear gas to end the siege, forcing Kelley out of the apartment building at which time he was arrested.

The shooting victim was treated at Maine Medical Center for minor injuries and later released. Residents of the apartment building stated that although the shooting victim did not live in the immediate area, she had been seen around the area in the past. Police do not know why Kelley chose her as his target.

Kelley was arrested and charged with elevated aggravated assault and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. His time-consuming and expensive failure to surrender also places him at risk of facing civil charges. He remains at the Cumberland County fail on $100,000 cash bail.

The shooting took place less than 100 yards from Portland High School where approximately 200 students were taking their SAT exams. As word spread concerning the shooting, the school was temporarily locked down while police closed off he area surrounding the apartment building.

During the standoff, area residents sat around drinking coffee and casually smoking cigarettes until it was over.

Police searched the apartment, but did not disclose whether it contained more guns.

Random shootings like this take place across our country and happen without any warning. Usually, no one knows or understands the motive behind such a malicious act, which makes the possibility of such an encounter even scarier.

If someone has injured you due to a random act of violence, you want to make sure that they receive the just punishment that they deserve. Getting them off the streets might mean saving someone else’s life. You need to discuss your situation with an attorney to make sure the person who injured you is dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.