A tragic shooting in Maine has left a young woman dead and her boyfriend facing a murder charge. Police say the incident happened after a series of gunshots inside a condominium, leading to an emergency call and a dramatic investigation. Authorities are now trying to determine exactly what happened during the moments before the fatal shooting.
Maine Man Charged With Murder After Girlfriend Dies in Shooting
A 24-year-old man, Austin Doucette, has been arrested and charged with murder after the death of his girlfriend, 23-year-old Mikayla Rose DeSantis.
According to the Maine State Police, the shooting happened at the Left Bank condominiums in Carrabassett Valley. The small town is located around 120 miles north of Portland.
Police say Doucette is now in custody while investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
911 Call Reported the Shooting
Authorities say the first emergency call was made around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Franklin County Regional Communications Center received the call and quickly alerted state police.
According to court documents, Doucette himself made the call and sounded extremely emotional and hysterical.
During the call, he reportedly said:
- “I can’t believe I did this.”
- “I’m sorry babe.”
Police said he also told the dispatcher that a gun had accidentally gone off and that he was trying to get help for his girlfriend.
Victim Was Rushed to Two Hospitals
Paramedics met the couple along Route 27 and found DeSantis suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
She was first taken to MaineHealth Franklin Hospital for emergency treatment. Because of the seriousness of her injuries, she was then flown by helicopter to Maine Medical Center.
Despite doctors’ efforts, she later died from her injuries.
Police Arrested Suspect After Traffic Stop
When officers first reached the condominium, they saw Doucette speeding away from the area, according to police.
Authorities stopped him later that night during a traffic stop and placed him under arrest.
Inside the car, officers reportedly found:
- Reddish-brown stains in the back seat
- A receipt
- A cellphone believed to belong to the victim
Investigators also reviewed another 911 call made by the girlfriend of Doucette’s father. She allegedly told dispatchers that Doucette said police were chasing him and that he planned to harm himself.
Investigation Found Multiple Gunshots
During a police interview, Doucette told investigators that the gun involved was a .45-caliber firearm and that it had gone off accidentally.
He also told officers the weapon was still on the couch inside the condo.
When police later searched the residence, they reportedly found:
- The gun on the couch
- A magazine with ammunition
- Multiple .45-caliber shell casings
An autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later confirmed that DeSantis died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Couple Worked Together at Ski Resort
Investigators say both Doucette and DeSantis worked at the Sugarloaf Mountain ski resort in Maine.
Originally from Connecticut, the couple had reportedly been together for nearly eight years, according to family members.
A GoFundMe started by DeSantis’s brother described her as a kind and creative person who loved baking, crafting, painting, and spending time with people she cared about.
Defense Attorney Calls It a “Terrible Accident”
Doucette’s attorney, Verne E. Paradie, said the incident appears to be a tragic accident.
The lawyer stated that they hope to gather more information about what exactly happened that night.
However, investigators are continuing to examine the evidence to determine whether the shooting was truly accidental.
