Massachusetts

Manhunt Has Been ‘Nightmare' for Maine Man With Same Name as Suspect

A Maine man with the same name as the man who allegedly shot and killed a sheriff's deputy in Maine says the manhunt for the suspect has been a nightmare.

John Williams, a 74-year-old from Madison, Maine, has received phone calls and threatening Facebook messages.

"People wantin' to put a couple bullets in my head. And, you know, I was a cop murderer," Williams says.

He has lived in the area his entire life and does not know the 29-year-old suspect who shares his name.

The suspect, who is also named John Williams and from Madison, allegedly gunned down Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy Cpl. Eugene Cole between 1 and 2 a.m. Wednesday on Route 2 in Norridgewock. Williams then allegedly stole Cole's marked cruiser and robbed a Cumberland Farms store on Waterville Road. He was last seen fleeing the store in the stolen cruiser.

The cruiser was found abandoned around 5 a.m. off of Martin Road in Norridgewock. Police believe he fled on foot and has been at large ever since.

Williams is described as 5-foot-6, 120 pounds with blue eyes. His hair is brown and unkempt, and he has a full beard. He was last seen wearing a black beanie hat, a dark-colored zip-up jacket, gray pants and tan boots. His last known address is 16 Jones St. in Madison, and he has ties to both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The FBI is offering up to a $20,000 reward for information leading to Williams' arrest.

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