Suspect in Portland shooting makes first court appearance

A man accused of murder in a shooting in downtown Portland on Monday made his first court appearance Wednesday morning, but he pleaded not guilty.

Lobster Abd ElkaderThe 21-year-old appeared virtually at the Cumberland County Courthouse shortly before 2 p.m. He is being held without bond in the Cumberland County Jail on charges of murdering Edgar Cando, 31, of Portland.

Omar Abd Elkader. Cumberland County Jail

Abd Elkader’s attorneys, Matthew Crockett and Andrew Edwards, waived Abd Elkader’s right to a bail hearing for Harnish within five business days. Lawyers told Judge Peter Darwin they had been appointed to the case about an hour earlier and needed time to read the relevant details and documents.

Abd Elkader said little during the speech, which lasted only a few minutes. It was not clear when he would next appear.

“We will be meeting with you shortly to take further action on your case,” Darwin told Abd Elkader before ending the video call.

After leaving the courtroom, Crockett said he and Edwards needed to speak with their client and review the case before they felt ready to hear Harnish’s case.

“There’s always a ton of information coming in,” Crockett said.

Police detained Abd Elkader on Monday evening and charged him with murder after questioning him at police headquarters, Portland police spokesman Brad Nadeau said.

Abd Elkader is accused of shooting Cando near the intersection of Portland and Alder streets Monday night. Cando was taken to Maine Medical Center that evening, where he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Police have not released details about the circumstances of the shooting, including a possible motive. An affidavit in Abd Elkader’s case was not available Wednesday afternoon.