Maine State Police have charged a 34-year-old man in connection with the murders of four people in a home in Bowdoin, a grim discovery that preceded gunfire on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, where three drivers were injured.
Joseph Eaton is charged in the murders of 72-year-old Robert Eger and 62-year-old Patricia Eger who were found inside their home along with Joseph Eaton’s mother, Cynthia Eaton.
Outside, police say they found 66-year-old David Eaton, Joseph Eaton’s father, dead in a barn. Maine State Police say all four died of gunshot wounds.
The initial investigation began Tuesday morning around 9:21 a.m. when police were called to the home on Augusta Road in Bowdoin, finding all four dead.
Around 10:30 a.m., after the discovery in Bowdoin, reports began to come in of cars being hit by gunfire on I-295 near exits 15 and 17/East Main Street in Yarmouth.
The southbound section of the interstate was quickly shut down in the area as a large police presence descended upon the scene.
In total, three people were shot while driving along the highway.
51-year-old Sean Halsey and his two children, Justin Halsey and Paige Halsey, were all taken to Maine Medical Center. Paige Halsey remains in critical condition.
Maine’s Total Coverage reporter Terry Stackhouse was on the scene where two vehicles could be seen in front of a number of police cruisers.
One of the vehicles appeared to have multiple bullet holes in the front windshield.
At some point, officials say a person was detained for the shooting and has been interviewed. That person was later confirmed as Joseph Eaton. Eaton was taken to Maine Medical Center and then medically cleared.
After being taken into custody, police state Eaton confessed to killing his parents and their friends, the Egers, in Bowdoin.
He allegedly admitted to police he began shooting at the vehicles because he thought authorities were following him.
Initially, authorities were searching for a second possible person of interest, as around a dozen officers in tactical gear took to the woods near the parked cars.
Maine State Police ask those who may have witnessed anything at either incident to call them at 207-624-7076.
Wednesday morning, authorities were back on the scene at the home in Bowdoin, taping off the area of the quadruple homicide as they continued to collect evidence.
Gov. Janet Mills took to Twitter after the events of Tuesday, expressing her shock and sadness. She said, in part: “My thoughts are with the families, friends and loved ones of those impacted by this tragedy, and I am praying for the quick recovery of those who are hospitalized.”
The House leader of the Maine Legislature’s Gun Safety Caucus reacted Wednesday to the shootings in Bowdoin and Yarmouth and called for action when it comes to laws in Maine.
“The sad truth is that Maine is not immune from gun violence, including firearm suicide or accidental shootings involving children,” said Rep. Vicki Doudera, a Democrat from Camden.
Eaton has been taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. He will make an appearance in court later this week.
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