The New York State Police have identified the man who was shot and injured last week as a doctor from central Maine. This doctor has a history of infractions and license suspensions, with the latest occurring in 2021. He was found to have granted COVID-19 vaccine exemptions to over 100 healthcare workers without properly examining them.
On July 2, 63-year-old Augusta resident Paul Gosselin was shot. According to a press release issued by the New York State Police the following day, troopers in Sullivan County were informed of a dubious vehicle at a business on State Route 97 in Barryville.
New York State Police reported that Gosselin, who was later identified as the man in question, claimed to possess a gun and threatened to shoot the troopers who were searching for him.
According to reports, Gosselin supposedly fled to a nearby business along the highway. He then proceeded to exit his vehicle, shortly thereafter returning and driving towards a constable from the town of Lumberland who happened to be on foot near Gosselin’s car.
New York State Police have reported that a state trooper witnessed the incident and fired at the vehicle, striking Gosselin with one of the shots.
According to a press release on July 3rd, Gosselin was taken to a nearby hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. As of Monday, a spokesperson from the New York State Police stated to the Kennebec Journal that Gosselin was still receiving care at the hospital.
According to the newspaper, Gosselin had already been registered in a nationwide database for missing persons before the occurrence, and it remains unclear why he was in New York.
According to board records, Gosselin, who is an osteopathic doctor, had several encounters with the state licensing board prior to the mishandling of vaccine exemptions. In 2014, his license was suspended after he was accused of self-prescribing medication and practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs.
According to the Morning Sentinel, the individual faced disciplinary action in 2002 for engaging in “unprofessional conduct.” This involved posing as his own physician’s assistant when calling pharmacies to fulfill prescriptions. Additionally, in 1999, the same individual responded to an emergency call despite having consumed alcohol, resulting in further disciplinary action.
