Scores of police close in on suspect who fired at Rochester officer

Three Maine State Troopers keep a keen watch on the woods behind a River Road property today while a fourth stands closer to the road during a manhunt for a suspect who fired at police. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - Scores of law enforcement officers from New Hampshire and Maine are trying to contain and slowly tighten the perimeter on a suspect who opened fire on a Rochester Police officer early this morning.

The suspect shot at the officer as they attempted to pull them over on Milton Road around 1:50 a.m. According to police, the individual then pulled onto Periwinkle Driver in the Saks Mobile Home Park and fired shots at the officer.

Police announced around 8:30 a.m. that they are setting off flash bang devices to try to flush the fugitive and that area residents should not be alarmed.

This morning several Maine State Police cruisers were stopped on River Road in Lebanon as lawmen believe he may have traversed the Salmon Falls River into Lebanon.

A New Hampshire State Trooper directs traffic as a law enforcement command center operates in background in parking lot of Stonewall Kitchen as the manhunt continues.

A Maine State Trooper told The Rochester Voice that that area of River Road "was not a safe place to be" this morning.

A helicopter was also deployed to help locate the suspect.

Meanwhile, Rochester and New Hampshire State Police set up a command center in the parking lot of Stonewall Kitchen on Milton Road. Safety officials at the scene said they would have no comment at this time.

Police also have not identified the suspect, nor the circumstances behind the attempted traffic stop earlier today.

Residents of Saks trailer park have been told to stay in their homes and shelter in place.

Much of the area has been blocked off to thru-traffic, with barricades set up at the corner of Milton and Betts roads and heading north on Milton Road beyond the intersection of Milton and Salmon Falls roads.

Traffic on River Road in Lebanon, however, is still allowed as of this posting.

This story will be updated.