Memorial Day Weekend Family Gathering Turned Violent in Bangor, Landing One Man In Jail

It was a hot and sunny start to the Memorial Day Weekend Friday, but as the unofficial start to summer kicked off, a Bangor man got into some hot water at a family gathering that allegedly turned violent.

Read More: Bangor Man Arrested After Violent Outburst At Circle K

The Bangor Police Department says 32-year-old Ryan Martin allegedly assaulted three separate individuals during a family fight Friday evening. Authorities were called a an apartment on Essex Street just before 11 PM, to investigate.

"When officers arrived, police learned that three people had been injured by
Ryan Martin, 32, of Bangor who had left the scene prior to police arriving.
On May 23, at approximately 6:36 a.m., police located Martin at the residence and placed him under arrest."

Martin was taken to jail and charged with three counts of Domestic Violence, a class D crime if convicted.

Get our free mobile app

While the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a non profit started 30 years ago to give survivors of domestic violence a voice on a national level, says holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years tend to see an increase in domestic violence activity, there are a number of factors that can trigger violent and abusive behavior on other holidays, too.

"For example, with holiday breaks from work and school, abusive partners are more likely to be home than at other times of the year...The stress from holiday shopping, finances, planning, travel, and extended family dynamics may destabilize an already tenuous situation and make an abusive partner more likely to resort to violence. People are more likely to use alcohol or drugs when they don’t have to work, which may increase volatility. For survivors who are co-parenting children, holiday visitation schedules can also present safety challenges."

Read More: New Initiative At Maine BMV Supports Domestic Violence Survivors

Experts recommend reaching out to authorities or organizations trained in domestic violence issues, if you end up in an abusive situation.

"If you are in crisis, please contact the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline via phone (1-800-799-SAFE), chat (TheHotline.org), or text (START to 88788), or contact 911 if it is safe to do so. "

They also recommend clearing your browser history if you believe your device may be monitored by an abuser.

If you're unsure as to whether or not you're experiencing domestic abuse, the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence has a list of questions to ask yourself, and a list of local resources if you need help. Click here for more information.