Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the shooting and stabbing incident at Wainwright athletic complex in South Portland Wednesday night. Police say the violence stemmed from a drug deal gone bad.

Investigators pursued leads, conducted interviews and executed three search warrants on Thursday and arrested Essa Sayed, 18, of Portland, and Zachary Swain, 18, of Cape Elizabeth, on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder. They are being held at Cumberland County Jail.

Two adult males were injured during the altercation in the parking lot of the Wainwright Sports Complex, off Gary Maietta Parkway in South Portland. One victim, an 18-year-old male from South Portland, was stabbed, and remains hospitalized. A 19-year-old male from South Portland was shot; he received medical care, and has since been released from the hospital.

“Officers from the Portland and Cape Elizabeth police departments were invaluable during the course of this investigation,” said South Portland police Lt. Frank Clark.

Clark said the incident was not a random act.

“Based on the investigation, to date, the suspects and victims met in order to consummate a drug deal involving a relatively small quantity of marijuana. This is an apparent incident in which the presence of drugs and money, not surprisingly, led to bad decisions and violence,” he said.

Clark said the investigation remains ongoing and will be referred to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s office for consideration of charges. Additional arrests and charges are expected.

Essa SayedZachary Swain

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