A woman who was left with critical injuries after an armed confrontation with members of the Topsham Police Department has died.

The Incident Began as a Well-Being Check

It was just after 2:30 Monday afternoon when officers responded to Route 96 on the Topsham Bypass to a report of a distraught woman who was possibly armed with a gun. Witnesses said the vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and that the driver was allegedly making threats to harm herself or others. The woman has been identified as Kourtney Sherwood, 37, of Brunswick.

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When officers from the Topsham Police and Sagadahoc County Sheriff's Office responded, they found the vehicle located just before the Merrymeeting Bridge. As law enforcement personnel tried to communicate with Sherwood, they were joined by members of the Brunswick and Maine State Police Departments. Despite their attempts, the woman was not cooperating with police.

How was the Woman Hurt?

At some point, officials say, an armed confrontation occurred and Sherwood was shot by Topsham Police Officer Mathew Bowers, who discharged a single round. She sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick before being transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland. WGME-TV is now reporting that Sherwood died of her injuries on Tuesday.

No officers were hurt in the incident.

Officer Bowers has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated by the Maine Attorney General's Office, which is standard procedure in any police-involved shooting.

Anyone who believes they may have information about this incident is encouraged to contact Lieutenant Bill Collins at the Topsham Police Department at 207-725-4337, extension 2202.

We'll update this story as more details become available. 

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