PORTLAND — Police are searching for a suspect following a West End shooting that left one person dead Tuesday night.

It was the city’s first homicide of the year.

At a press conference Wednesday morning at the police station, Police Chief Michael Sauschuck said officers are looking for a white man of medium build, about 6 feet tall, who was wearing a black jacket and black pants. The suspect was last seen running from the scene of the crime.

Officers were called to the shooting at 88 Gilman St., Apartment 305, just after 11 p.m. They discovered 36-year-old David Anderson of Portland had been killed. Another victim was shot, but was transported to the hospital. He has since been released, but police are not releasing his name.

The apartment building, off Congress Street, is operated by Shalom House, which provides housing for adults with mental illness. According to Sauschuck, the two men did not live in the building, but were visiting someone.

Sauschuck said he was comfortable saying the person of interest is a suspect in the shooting.

Sauschuck wouldn’t discuss whether the wounded man knew the shooter, but said he believed the shooting was not a random act and the shooter was there for a specific purpose. Sauschuck also would not say how many shots were fired or what kind of weapon or weapons were used.

“The investigation is ongoing,” he said.

Mayor Ethan Strimling, who was at the police station following the press conference, said he went to the scene earlier in the morning after he was notified by the city manager. He said he also spoke with the director of Shalom House.

“We want people to remember this is a safe city,” Strimling said, echoing a message Sauschuck delivered earlier.

Detectives are working with the offices of the Maine attorney General and state medical examiner on the investigation, but Sauschuck said they are also looking to the community for assistance.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have information is encouraged to contact the police at 874-8533 or 874-8575. Anonymous tips can be left on the department’s crime tip line at 874-8584 or by texting keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637.

Colin Ellis can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or cellis@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @colinoellis.

Portland police are searching for this man following a homicide at 88 Gilman St. Tuesday night.

Portland Police say this man was last seen running from the scene Tuesday night, and have named him a suspect in a shooting that left one man dead at Shalom House.

A police car sits outside 88 Gilman St. in Portland, where a man was fatally shot Tuesday night. Police are currently searching for a suspect.

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