As required by 5 M.R.S. § 200-K, the Maine Deadly Force Review Panel submits the following report of the use of deadly force incident in Auburn on June 15, 2024, involving Detective Scott Duff and Trooper Patrick Hall of the Maine State Police, which resulted in the death of Leein Hinkley, age 43. By statute, after the release of the report of the Attorney General, the Panel shall examine deaths or serious injuries resulting from the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer. The purpose of the examination is to find independently whether there was compliance with accepted and best practices under the circumstances or whether the practices require adjustment or improvement. The Panel may recommend methods to improve standards, including changes to statutes, rules, training, and policies and procedures, to ensure best practices that promote increased public and officer safety. It should be noted that the Panel’s “Observations” are case-specific bullet points that have been pulled directly from the incident case file and are primarily intended to highlight key pieces of information. The Panel’s “Recommendations” should be viewed as potential system-level issues to consider during future critical incidents. The Panel is not charged with undertaking a de novo review of the Attorney General’s determination regarding the legality of the use of deadly force by law enforcement; discussions and recommendations of the Panel are independent of the Attorney General.
Synopsis
During the early morning hours of June 15, 2024, a 911 caller reported shots being fired by Leein Hinkley inside an Auburn residence. Mr. Hinkley was prohibited under bail conditions from being at the residence or having any contact with the caller. Auburn police officers arrived at the building, which was on fire, and attempted to contact Mr. Hinkley. Mr. Hinkley fired multiple shots at the officers from within the building, later escaping and firing additional shots at deputies from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office. A few hours later, Mr. Hinkley was located on the roof of another residence in the area. Detective Scott Duff observed Mr. Hinkley on the roof, pointing a gun towards police officers. Detective Duff fired two rounds at Mr. Hinkley. Trooper Patrick Hall observed Mr. Hinkley raising his firearm and appearing to get ready to shoot. Trooper Hall fired two rounds at Mr. Hinkley. Members of the State Police Tactical Team climbed onto the roof and found Mr. Hinkley dead.
Information the Panel Reviewed
Before its May 28, 2026, meeting, the Panel members received the investigative material compiled by the Attorney General. The material consisted of all the original investigative data, including interview recordings, reports, forensic reports, photographs, emergency communications, video footage, and other relevant materials. The Panel also reviewed the Attorney General’s March 12, 2025, report and the Internal Review Team's report dated September 13, 2024.
Panel Discussion
On May 28, 2026, the panel met via Zoom to review and discuss the incident in question. The discussion included the response time of law enforcement, the presence of stimulants in the suspect, low bail amounts set, and concerns with the probation officer.
Case Specific Observations
- The 43-year-old suspect involved in this incident has a long and violent criminal history dating back to 2001. A convicted felon, the suspect's history contains multiple assault convictions, including his conviction in July of 2012 for Elevated Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Assault for which he received a sentence of 20 years, all but 15 years suspended, with six years of probation. During the incident prompting this 2012 felony conviction, the police reporting reflects that the suspect had stabbed his domestic partner multiple times and also stabbed a bystander who came to her aid.
- Family members expressed concerns before the deadly force incident that appeared not to have been taken seriously. One family member reportedly reached out to law enforcement and the suspect’s probation officer but was left extremely frustrated by their apparent lack of response. The suspect’s mother also stated that the courts had never consulted her before he was released to house arrest at her residence. This left her with no time to advocate against this decision and no time to prepare for his arrival.
- At the time of the June 15, 2024, deadly force incident, the suspect was on probation for his 2014 assault conviction, had two outstanding protection orders against him, and was on new bail conditions triggered, in part, by his arrest on May 24, 2024, for a further DV Aggravated Assault charge involving the domestic partner who resided in Auburn. At a bail hearing before District Court Judge Sarah Churchill on June 12, 2024, the court agreed to reduce his cash bail to $1,500. Within 48 hours, the suspect resumed stalking and harassing the alleged victim of his new DV Aggravated Assault charge. Following the deadly force incident, Governor Janet Mills issued a statement noting that she strongly disagreed with the court's June 12th bail decision, stating that in her view the court had improperly balanced the suspect's right to counsel concern with the significant public safety issues as prompted by the severity of the charges, the suspect's significant criminal history, and the danger he posed to the public. Based on the information provided in the investigative file, the Panel shares the Governor's view.
- The Panel commends both law enforcement and the firefighters for a well communicated plan, for proactively evacuating various structures in the neighborhood, and addressing the potential risks posed by propane stored near residences.
- The investigative material does not include any definitive evidence supporting a mental health diagnosis. The suspect's mother reported that the suspect had always been unstable and exhibited a bad temper.
- An IRT report was prepared by the Maine State Police but lacked any apparent involvement of the other involved agencies, including the Auburn Police Department and the Androscoggin Sheriff's Department.
- The post-mortem toxicology report was positive for cocaine and methamphetamine. The Panel has noticed increased use of methamphetamine in its review of deadly force incidents.
System Level Recommendations
- The legislature should enact legislation that prior to the court ordering the release of a defendant to a specified location, individuals living at the specified location must consent to the defendant being released to the location prior to any placement by the court. A defendant with property rights will not be released to housing involving co-occupants without notice and opportunity for hearing by interested co-occupants.
- As noted in prior reports, the Panel recommends that all law enforcement agencies involved in a deadly force incident participate in the required internal review. The Panel is reminded that, effective 12/31/25, this requirement became mandatory pursuant to the MCJA Board of Trustees Minimum Standards, Policy
- The Panel recommends that when a law enforcement agency employs a drone in these circumstances, any video/audio be recorded. This measure offers potential benefits from the additional data it generates and underscores the value of transparency.
Factual Summary
On June 15, 2024, at approximately 12:57 A.M., a woman called 911 to report that Leein Hinkley had a firearm and was attempting to break into her residence in Auburn. While on the phone with the dispatcher, the caller reported that Mr. Hinkley was shooting into the residence. The caller dropped her cell phone and escaped.
Upon arrival at the residence by an Auburn police officer, the woman told him that Mr. Hinkley had shot multiple times through the windows of the house and that she jumped out of a window on the backside of the house, but her friend may still be in the residence. Other responding officers could see that the residence was on fire and reported shouting coming from inside the residence. As officers assumed positions around the residence, they heard a gunshot and took cover. One round struck the ground between two officers, causing one officer to believe he had been shot. It was later determined that the officer was injured when he fell trying to seek cover.
At 1:17 A.M, other agencies were requested to respond to assist, including the Lewiston, Mechanic Falls, and Lisbon police departments, and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office. Officers were assigned to cover the rear of the residence, which was on fire. As they were getting in place, Mr. Hinkley shouted something to the effect of “they better be a good shot.” An Auburn officer reported seeing Mr. Hinkley behind a propane tank with a firearm and then heard a shot before seeing Mr. Hinkley move to a shed located near the residence. Due to the fire at the residence, there were concerns that the propane tank might explode, so the officers were ordered to back up and extend the perimeter. The Auburn officer observed the propane tank beginning to ignite and moved to the residence next door. At 1:50 a.m., a shelter-in-place order was issued through the public alert system because Mr. Hinkley was last seen leaving the residence in possession of a firearm. Central Maine Power was also contacted to deenergize the grid due to the arcing power lines caused by the fire. Law enforcement personnel evacuated the residents in the surrounding residences. The State Police Tactical Team was activated.
Auburn Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle was in the process of determining which residents needed to be evacuated when a man shouted that the shooter was in his garage. The man said he didn’t see the shooter but heard a male voice that he did not recognize say something to the effect of “I don’t want to do this, you better get the fuck out.” Deputy Chief Cougle escorted the man away from the residence and established a perimeter around the residence, believing Mr. Hinkley was in the garage.
State Police Tactical Team and Negotiation Team personnel began arriving and were briefed by Deputy Chief Cougle. At approximately 4:18 a.m., Tactical Team Commander Greg Roy and his team attempted to contact Mr. Hinkley via the public address (PA) system, but he did not respond. At 4:30 a.m., Commander Roy directed the operator of a tactical vehicle to breach the garage door. Once the door was breached, a drone was sent in, and it was determined that Mr. Hinkley was not in the garage, although blood drops were observed near a window. A plan was made for Tactical Team members and a canine unit to track Mr. Hinkley. Commander Roy conveyed to members of the Tactical Team that Mr. Hinkley was likely in possession of a 9mm Taurus handgun.
At 5:35 a.m., a report was made that someone was on his roof. Tactical Team members Detective Scott Duff and Trooper Brian Bean radioed Commander Roy to report that they had contact with Mr. Hinkley and had positioned themselves in front of the residence. Detective Duff reported observing a person matching Mr. Hinkley’s description on the roof holding a gun to his head and under his chin and yelling at officers. Detective Duff said that Mr. Hinkley was pointing the gun in the direction of the Auburn officers on the street below. Detective Duff, aware of Mr. Hinkley’s superior vantage point on the roof of the house with multiple officers on the ground, moved to the corner of a sport utility vehicle for cover and observed Mr. Hinkley running toward the back of the house with the gun in his hand. Detective Duff reported he fired two rounds at Mr. Hinkley as he ran toward the back of the roof after Mr. Hinkley failed to follow multiple commands to surrender. Detective Duff was aware that Mr. Hinkley had shot at other officers and was concerned for the safety of the officers in the street as well as Tactical Team members behind the house, and the safety of residents who had not been evacuated.
Trooper Patrick Hall was in the woods behind the residence and heard the two gunshots. He said he could hear yelling but couldn’t tell what was being said. Trooper Hall believed that Mr. Hinkley was firing at Tactical Team members. Trooper Hall took a kneeling position behind the house where Mr. Hinkley was located on the roof. Trooper Hall could see Mr. Hinkley on the roof with his back to the chimney. Trooper Hall heard over the radio that Mr. Hinkley had a gun to his head at one point and believed he heard someone report “rounds out” over the radio, which indicated a Tactical Team member had fired at Mr. Hinkley. He could see Mr. Hinkley’s right hand open and close around the handle of the gun as if he were adjusting and tightening his grip. As he was adjusting the grip, he was looking over his shoulder. It appeared to Trooper Hall that Mr. Hinkley was about to fire his gun at officers. He fired two rounds at Mr. Hinkley. He said the first round appeared to have no impact, so he fired a second round, and Mr. Hinkley dropped. Another Tactical member, who was located next to Trooper Hall, advised on the radio that Trooper Hall had fired two rounds. Trooper Hall shot Mr. Hinkley because it appeared to him that Mr. Hinkley was about to shoot the officers in front of the residence, and he was a threat to the public. At 5:44 a.m., Tactical Team members accessed the rooftop and determined that Mr. Hinkley was deceased.
An autopsy and postmortem examination conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner determined Mr. Hinkley died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. Toxicology reports indicated he had cocaine and methamphetamine in his system.
Current Panel Members
- (Four Vacancies)
- Stephen Burlock, Esq., Assistant District Attorney (Retired), Chair
- Benjamin Strick, Vice President of Adult Behavioral Health, Spurwink, Vice Chair
- Michael Alpert, Greater Bangor Area Branch NAACP
- John Chapman, Esq.
- Jack Clements, Chief of Police, Saco
- Sandra Slemmer, designee of Alice J. Briones, D.O., Chief Medical Examiner
- Anna Love, Chief, Attorney General Investigations
- Joel Merry, Sheriff, Sagadahoc County
- Joshua Daley, designee of Lincoln Ryder, Director, Maine Criminal Justice Academy
- Michael Sauschuck, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety
- Fernand LaRochelle, Citizen Member
Note: The individuals serving on the Panel are appointed to apply their professional expertise to discussions of these complex cases. Therefore, members of the Panel may be familiar with or have contact with individuals involved in the case under review. In such cases, members must report these affiliations to the Panel, and this information is recorded in the meeting minutes. If panel members determine they have a conflict of interest, they are excused from voting on the panel’s findings and recommendations for that case.