Broken glass, bullets, blood: Court documents describe grisly discovery in Maine shootings
ByThe Associated Press
ByThe Associated Press
WEST BATH, Maine — A sister who discovered a crime scene in which four people were shot to death arrived to broken glass, bullet holes, blood and guns strewn about, and the suspect was later found at the scene of a highway shooting with what appeared to be blood on him, according to state police.
Police found multiple cartridge casings of varying calibers in the vehicle driven by the suspect accused of firing shots at vehicles along Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, state police said.
New details came to light Thursday as the suspect, Joseph Eaton, made his initial court appearance. Police say he confessed to killing four people, including his parents, in Bowdoin and wounding three people while shooting at vehicles.
Police have not discussed what might have been a motive behind the shootings on a rural property in Bowdoin and then along a busy interstate highway about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Maine’s largest city, Portland.
Eaton, 34, has been jailed since his arrest Tuesday at a chaotic scene along Interstate 295, where traffic backed up as heavily armed law enforcement searched the area. Eaton is charged with four counts of murder for the killings in Bowdoin but has not yet been charged in the highway shootings.
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Maine Highway Gunfire A woman reacts at the scene of a multiple shooting, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine. Four people were found fatally shot in a Maine home Tuesday shortly before gunfire injured three others on a busy highway 25 miles away in a pair of crimes that were linked, state police said. One person was in custody. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty)
Maine Highway Gunfire In a still frame from video provided by WGME-TV traffic is backed up near a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295, in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway is linked to a second crime scene where several people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (WGME-TV via AP) (Uncredited)
Maine Highway Gunfire A hearse leaves the scene of a shooting, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty)
Maine Highway Gunfire A body is wheeled to a hearse at the scene of a shooting, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty)
Maine Highway Gunfire In this image taken video provided by WGME-TV, members of law enforcement investigate a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (WGME-TV via AP) (Uncredited)
Maine Highway Gunfire Members of law enforcement approach vehicles at a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Whittle) (Patrick Whittle)
Maine Highway Gunfire Investigators work at the scene of a deadly shooting, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Bowdoin, Maine. State police in Maine say gunfire that erupted on busy highway is linked to a second crime scene where four people were found dead in a home about 25 miles away. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) (Robert F. Bukaty)
Maine Highway Gunfire Vehicles are stopped on a highway at a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Whittle) (Patrick Whittle)
Maine Highway Gunfire Members of law enforcement investigate a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via AP) (Derek Davis)
Maine Highway Gunfire Members of law enforcement investigate a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295, in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via AP) (Derek Davis)
Maine Highway Gunfire Members of law enforcement investigate a scene where people were injured in a shooting on Interstate 295, in Yarmouth, Maine, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Gunfire that erupted on the busy highway in Maine is linked to a second crime scene where people have been found dead in a home about 25 miles away in the town of Bowdoin, Maine, state police said Tuesday. (Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald via AP) (Derek Davis)
He had been released four days before the shootings from the Maine Correctional Center in Windham. Police say his mother picked him up from prison on April 14 after he completed a sentence for aggravated assault.
The latest in a string of mass shootings in the United States began in the small town of Bowdoin, where four people were killed Tuesday, with three bodies discovered in a home and one in a barn, police said. The victims were identified as Joseph Eaton’s parents, Cynthia Eaton, 62, and David Eaton, 66, along with their friends, homeowners Robert Eger, 72, and Patricia Eger, 62, police said.
Police previously said Eaton told them he began firing on several cars along I-295 soon thereafter because he thought he was being followed by police. Bullets struck a family in one of the vehicles: Sean Halsey, 51; Justin Halsey, 29; and Paige Halsey, 25, police said. Paige Halsey was critically injured, police said.
A state police affidavit filed in court Thursday included details of the discovery of the crime scene, including the death of the family dog. It also referenced a note left in the kitchen that mentioned that someone was molested.
The day before the shooting, a man believed to be Joseph Eaton posted an anguished live video on social media that referenced trauma including molestation. “Being molested and stuff, you know, it destroys somebody,” the man said. He also criticized people who call themselves Christians but are unwilling to forgive.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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