LUDLOW, Maine — A Maine State Trooper killed a 52-year-old Ludlow man Sunday afternoon following an armed confrontation with police.
Sgt. Joshua Haines shot Alan Gillotti Sr. outside Gillotti’s home on the Town Line Road when the Ludlow man reportedly confronted troopers with a firearm, according to Lt. John E. Cote, commanding officer of Troop F.
Troopers had gone to Gillotti’s home investigating an armed home invasion in Bridgewater earlier in the day in which Gillotti was believed to be an accomplice.
That incident began at 1:30 p.m. when state police responded to a report of an armed home invasion at the Corner Road in Bridgewater. Police did not release the name of the homeowner, but Steve McCausland, state police spokesperson, said the occupant in the residence was a woman.
“The homeowner reported that a male subject had forced his way into the residence brandishing a firearm,” Cote said. “There was a brief altercation inside the residence and the suspect fled from the residence, in a vehicle, with a second adult male.”
The suspect was eventually identified as 48-year-old Timothy Slaton of Smyrna. Troopers located Slaton at his residence in Smyrna, where he was arrested without incident. Slaton was charged with burglary and criminal threatening with a firearm.
He was brought to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, where bail was set at $25,000 cash. Slaton was expected to appear in court Tuesday.
While conducting their investigation, Troopers obtained information indicating that Gillotti was with Slaton during the home invasion. Troopers went to Gillotti’s residence on the Town Line road in Ludlow to speak with him. Gillotti confronted the troopers with a firearm, and the confrontation ended when Gillotti was shot by Haines.
“As is standard with all police involved shootings, the Maine Attorney General’s Office is investigating and the trooper has been placed on administrative leave with pay,” Cote said.
“A team of investigators will work with state police to get the details of the chain of events,” McCausland added. “The AG’s Office will then issue a full report on this case at some point in the future.”
Police declined to release further information on the case.
