A 34-year-old man was taken into custody on Tuesday evening in connection with the deaths of four individuals found in a Bowdoin, Maine residence earlier that day, according to authorities. These deaths are believed to be linked to a series of highway shootings nearby, which injured three drivers, one of them critically, shortly after the bodies were discovered, state police reported.
The man, identified as Joseph Eaton by the Maine State Police, was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail. He is expected to appear in court later this week. As of Tuesday night, police had not confirmed if his arrest was related to the highway shootings.
Investigators are actively working through the night, examining multiple locations and interviewing those involved, according to a police statement. No motive has been disclosed, nor have details about the four deceased individuals been released.
Maine Governor Janet Mills expressed her shock and sorrow over the violent events, stating that such acts deeply affect the state and its communities.
The discovery of the four bodies in the Bowdoin home prompted a response from Maine State Police on Tuesday morning, as explained by state police Lt. Randall Keaten in a news briefing. Shortly thereafter, reports emerged of vehicles being struck by gunfire on I-295 near Yarmouth, approximately 40 minutes from Bowdoin.
Three individuals were shot while driving and were hospitalized, with at least one in critical condition, authorities stated. Keaten urged anyone with vehicles damaged by gunfire to contact the police for further investigation.
The incidents at the Bowdoin home and on the highway are connected, Keaten confirmed, assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat. The four bodies have been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta for autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death.
Authorities are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed the events or has relevant details. Keaten emphasized the importance of speaking with those affected by the incidents as investigations continue across multiple scenes.