Hyannis Man Who Brandished Knife Dies After Being Shot By Maine Police

FRYEBURG, ME — A Hyannis man is dead a police chase starting in New Hampshire crossed into Maine, leading to an officer-involved shooting.

On Tuesday, Fryeburg police were notified by New Hampshire authorities that they were chasing a black pickup truck that was refusing to stop and approaching the Maine state line. The truck, it was later determined, was driven by Kenneth Ellis, 52, of Hyannis.

When Ellis crossed into Maine, New Hampshire authorities ended their chase and Fryeburg police and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department located the vehicle and tried to stop it on Main Street in Fryeburg.

Ellis refused to stop the truck, striking multiple vehicles on Main Street and crashing into a snowbank in front of Norway Savings Bank, officials said.

At this time, Ellis exited the truck and approached a Fryeburg officer who stopped behind him. Ellis was ordered several times to show his hands and when he did, he brandished a knife, officials said. He was then ordered "several times" to drop the knife, but police said he continued approaching the officer while keeping the knife in his possession.

The officer then shot Ellis, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

As is protocol for a police-involved shooting, the officer was placed on administrative leave and the Office of the Attorney General will be investigating the use of deadly force.

The Oxford County Sheriff deputy who was assisting Fryeburg Police with the chase was involved in a separate motor vehicle crash, officials said.

That deputy struck a vehicle that turned in front of him on Main Street in Fryeburg. He sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance for treatment. The Fryeburg Officer was also transported for treatment of minor injuries.

Maine State Police Southern Field Troop officials are investigating the deputy-involved crash, as well as the other crashes that Ellis was involved with. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South is also assisting with the crash investigations and identifying any witnesses to the incident, officials said.

Troopers are working to reconstruct the cause of the crashes as well as determining the extent of injuries to those involved alongside the Attorney General’s Office investigation.