MACHIAS, Maine (AP) - A judge ordered a man charged with murder held without bail Wednesday after three fatal shootings rocked a Down East Maine community.
Thomas Bonfanti, 63, of Northfield, was arrested by police on Monday in connection with the deaths of three people and the injury of another. He appeared in Washington County Superior Court in Machias for the first time on the charge Wednesday.
Court documents state Bonfanti has been charged with three counts of murder and with elevated aggravated assault. He was out on bail and awaiting his first court appearance on a drunk driving charge when the killings took place, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Court officials said Wednesday they were unsure if Bonfanti has yet been assigned an attorney.
Police haven’t said what the motive in the shootings might’ve been. They’ve said Bonfanti was familiar with the victims.
Police said the shootings killed Shawn Currey, 57, of Machias; Samuel Powers, 33, of Jonesboro; and Jennifer Bryant Flynn, 49, of Machias; and injured Regina Hall Long, 49. Long was in critical condition on Wednesday at Maine Medical Center in Portland..
The shooting deaths happened at three locations in Machias and Jonesboro, police said. Schools in the area were on lock down during the investigation.
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