Augusta man shot during dispute

   PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Presque Isle police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting shots fired on State Street the evening of April 20.
    “We received a call at 6:36 p.m. reporting a residential shooting at an apartment at 38 State Street. Officers of the PIPD and a Crown Ambulance crew responded to find that 28-year-old Steven Ouellette, a man from Augusta with ties to Presque Isle, was shot once in the abdomen by a bullet shot from a .22 caliber revolver,” said Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, of the PIPD, who led the investigation.
Selfridge identified the shooter as 25-year-old Robert Van Houten, of Presque Isle.
“Van Houten shot Ouellette after Ouellette kicked the home’s door open and entered to assault Van Houten in this home invasion motivated by an earlier bad drug deal,” said Selfridge, who indicated the context of the drug issue will not be disclosed.
Once the scene was determined to be safe, the ambulance crew was able to transport Ouellette to The Aroostook Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery to repair organs damaged when he was shot.
“Ouellette is in critical but stable condition. On Sunday evening Ouellette was transferred from the intensive care unit (at TAMC) to Eastern Maine Medical Center ICU,” said Selfridge, adding Ouellette’s present medical condition makes it impossible for an interview.
According to police, Van Houten lives at the crime scene residence with his girlfriend, who was not home at the time. Selfridge said there two other witnesses who were present during the shooting, as well as peripheral witnesses, who were all interviewed by Presque Isle police detectives and investigators from Troop F Criminal Investigation Division (Maine State Police).
“Processing the crime scene was a coordinated effort between the PIPD and Troop F forensic specialists. The weapon was seized and secured as evidence,” said Selfridge.
Selfridge said all involved Presque Isle residents present knew each other with the exception of the principles, Van Houten and Ouellette. Selfridge said it was fortunate no one else was injured in the incident.
“No one else was injured despite one additional stray shot in the cramped apartment,” said Selfridge.
At present, no charges have been levied against anyone.
“Once the investigation is complete, the facts will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office to determine charges, if any. The inquiry is ongoing,” said Selfridge.
Police indicate this is the latest incident in Aroostook County where a weapon was involved in connection with a home invasion.
“This is one in a series of unrelated home invasions recently in the county where different types of weapons have been brandished or assaultive behavior was present to steal money or drugs, or to strong-arm enforcement of drug payments,” said Selfridge.
Selfridge was assisted at the scene by: Sgts. Eric Erickson and Mark Barnes, of the PIPD; and Dale Keegan and John Cote, of Troop F.