Berwick fatal shooting in May determined to be self-defense

BERWICK - A fatal Berwick shooing in May has been declared self-defense, the Maine Dept. of Safety reported today.

Berwick Police first got involved when they received a call around 9:05 a.m. on May 13 reporting a shooting at 321 School St.

When offices arrived they located two individuals suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds in the bedroom of the home. Both individuals were transported from the scene by ambulance. The homeowner, 25-year-old Christopher Utt, was transported to Portsmouth Medical Center where he underwent surgery for his injuries, while 41-year-old Edward Badeau of Berwick was transported to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H., where he later died.

Through the course of multiple weeks of investigation, it was discovered that Badeau arrived at the home of Utt on the morning of May 13, and exited his vehicle and discharged his handgun into the air multiple times before forcefully entering into Utt's home through the front door.

After Badeau entered the house, both Utt and Badeau exchanged gunfire at the threshold of Utt's bedroom.

The Maine Attorney General's office has reviewed the matter and has determined that Utt shot Badeau in self-defense and therefore there will be no prosecution, the Dept. of Safety press release stated.

Utt continues his recovery from injuries sustained in the shooting.