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Second suspect arrested in connection to 7-year-old Waterville girl shooting

Gavin Loabe, 18, and Jeremiah Gamblin, 20, are the two suspects Waterville Police are connecting to the February shooting of 7-year-old Emahleeah Frost.

WATERVILLE, Maine — The family of 7-year-old Emahleeah Frost, the girl who was shot in a drive-by shooting in Waterville, is two steps closer to finding the answers they're looking for. 

On March 13, Waterville Police arrested Jeremiah Gamblin, 20, from Vassalboro on a warrant and probation violation. On Monday, he was also charged with aggravated assault in connection to the Frost shooting on February 28.

Gamblin is the second person to be arrested in the case. On March 6, police arrested Gavin T. Loabe, 18, of Mercer, Maine. He is facing assault charges for his alleged role in the shooting.

Bonney said the investigation is ongoing and police are not ready to say which of the two may have fired the shot into Emah's house. Bonney wouldn't rule out further arrests but said another arrest is not imminent.

Gamblin is being held at Kennebec County Jail on $750,000 cash bail. 

RELATED: 7-year-old shot in Waterville reunites with people who saved her life

According to the Portland Press Herald, details of Loabe's arrest first came out in an Augusta courtroom on March 9. 

There, Loabe laid out details to the court that he had an accomplice. He reportedly said they were out looking for a person identified only as “Mr. Vigue.” Loabe and his accomplice were reportedly looking to hurt “Mr. Vigue” because he had allegedly propositioned Loabe’s girlfriend for sex. 

The arrest of Loabe was the result of a week-long investigation by WPD detectives with the assistance of the Maine State Police and the Kennebec County District Attorney’s Office.  

"This is absolutely a case that we're making top priority," District Attorney Maeghan Maloney told NEWS CENTER Maine Tuesday. "That's why so many resources are being dedicated to be sure this case is solved as soon as possible."

Maloney would not comment on who the shooter in the incident was, but said they do not believe Loabe pulled the trigger. She did, however, confirm their target was someone who previously lived at the home. 

The investigation is on-going as detectives continue to follow-up on leads to piece together exactly how and why the shooting occurred. 

"This primary person did not think the Emily at Foster was inside that home,: Maloney said.

Waterville Police Chief Joseph Massey also refused to identify the suspect out of fear it could negatively impact the investigation.

"There's a lot more information that we need before we can do that," Massey said.

Chuck Frost, , Emahleeah "Emah" Frost's told NEWS CENTER Maine he 'just wants justice' for his little girl.

Emahleeah has since been recovering with a chest brace. Frost said he and his wife hope to help her get back to living a normal life. 

"It's just taking a lot of effort by detectives to hunt down all these leads and follow each one to the end," Massey said.

Loabe's attorney told NEWS CENTER Maine he is still being held at Kennebec County Jail because he is unable to post bail.

The Waterville Police Department is asking that anyone that may have witnessed the shooting or have information regarding the shooting to call the Waterville Police Department at (207) 680-4700.

RELATED: UPDATE: 7-year-old girl shot in Waterville released from hospital

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