Fairfield, Maine - The town of Fairfield was left shocked and grieving as news broke of the death of 62-year-old Edwin Weeks, whose body was discovered earlier this week at a residence off Main Street. Maine State Police announced on Friday that 22-year-old Raheem Shamar Goodwin, a resident of Benton, has been charged with murder in relation to Weeks' death.

The grim discovery was made by a friend of Weeks on Tuesday at 247A Main St., according to a news release from Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety. Weeks, who owned the mobile home where he was found, succumbed to "sharp force trauma," according to the state medical examiner's office in Augusta, as determined during an autopsy. The investigation into Weeks' homicide is still ongoing by Maine State Police.

Following the initial identification of Goodwin as a person of interest, law enforcement authorities attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Goodwin in Skowhegan later that same day. As detectives pursued him, Goodwin intentionally veered off U.S. Route 2 towards Canaan, crashing the vehicle into a ditch. Refusing to surrender, Goodwin barricaded himself in the car.

In a shocking turn of events, Goodwin proceeded to set the interior of the vehicle on fire before eventually being apprehended by law enforcement, stated Moss. He was taken into custody and booked into the Somerset County Jail in Madison on Wednesday, where he remains without bail. Additional charges against Goodwin include eluding an officer and violating conditions of release.

Authorities revealed that Goodwin and Weeks were acquainted, but no further details were provided regarding their relationship. The Fairfield Police, when contacted for further information, referred inquiries to the Maine State Police. The call log and incident log from Tuesday were promptly secured by state police, leaving unanswered questions about prior police involvement at Weeks' residence.

Notably, Goodwin had a prior arrest in June 2020 for burglary charges at a marijuana dispensary in Rome, along with another individual. Both were charged with burglary, theft, and criminal mischief. They were taken into custody and booked at the Kennebec County Jail.

The tragic killing of Edwin Weeks adds to a disturbing surge of homicides and accidental deaths across Maine throughout November, making it one of the most violent months in the state's history. As of now, at least eight homicides have occurred this month alone. Statewide data analysis indicates that 2023 is on track to be the deadliest year since 1989, even without including the tragic deaths resulting from the mass shooting in Lewiston, where 18 lives were lost.

As the investigation continues, the Fairfield community comes to terms with the loss of Edwin Weeks and anxiously awaits justice in this heartbreaking case.