Gunman shot parents and two friends after mum picked him up from jail
A man who killed four people including his parents, on a rampage did so after his mum picked up him from jail just days before.
34-year-old Joseph Eaton has confessed to police that he shot and killed his parents, Cynthia Eaton, 62, and David Eaton, 66, as well as their friends, Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Eger, 62, at the Eger's home.
Colonel Bill Ross of the Maine State Police confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19, that Robert, Patti and Cynthia were all found inside the house in the quiet town of Bowdoin, Maine.
He said David was found outside in a barn, or outbuilding.
Cynthia Robinson Eaton took her son to a family friend's home before he says he killed his parents and their friends (Cynthia Robinson Eaton/Facebook)Eaton had been released from Windham Correctional Center, with Col Ross confirming he was serving "about two years for aggravated assault" - a crime which was serious enough to prevent him from possessing a gun in Maine.
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Prior to the discovery of the bodies on Tuesday, April 18, after Eaton had been released from the Maine Correctional Center in Windham just four days earlier.
He was picked up by his mum, Cynthia, from jail before being driven to a family friend's house in Bowdoin.
Col. Ross said in the press conference: "[Eaton] was picked up on April 14 at the correctional center by his mother, Cynthia, and they drove to the residence in Bowdoin where the murders took place."
Police said that a friend of the Eger's had visited the property, concerned they had not been able to contact the couple.
Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Deraps Eger (Patti DeRaps Eger/Facebook)They had reportedly gone into the property on Augusta Road, in Bowdoin, where they discovered what the believed to be a deceased person.
Following the shooting of his parents and their friends, Eaton reportedly shot at several cars along the highway, injuring three - with one victim stil in a serious condition in hospital, police confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday, April 19.
The victims, who were shot in Yarmouth, are Sean Halsey, 51, and his two children - Justin Halsey, 29, and Paige Halsey, 25 all from Bowdoinham. Paige is said to still be in a critical condition at Maine Medical Center.
Col. Ross explained Eaton "confessed to us that he thought the vehicles he shot at were police vehicles following him".
Robert Eger, 72, and Patti Deraps Eger, 62, owned the home where the shooting took place (Patti DeRaps Eger/Facebook)Mr Eaton, from Bowdoin, a small town about 25 miles south of Maine’s capital, Augusta, has been charged with four counts of murder.
After the shooting at the Eger's house, Eaton reportedly shot at several cars along the highway, injuring three.
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The victims who were shot along the Interstate 295 in nearby Yarmouth were Sean Halsey, 51, and his two children - Justin Halsey, 29, and Paige Halsey, 25.
Paige is still in a critical condition as of April 19, according to police at Maine Medical Center.
Eaton posted a chilling video on Facebook the day before the shooting, begging for forgiveness.
Gunman, Joey Eaton, who 'murdered four' posted chilling Facebook vid day about 'bad days' before massacre (Facebook)
Law enforcement personnel work at a crime scene in Bowdoin, Maine (AP)Addressing the video, Col. Ross said: "We're aware of the video and that's part of our investigation and what all that means.
"Right now, we're in the 'how' phase - how this happened. And I think the 'why' phase, why all of this happened will come later.
"We are aware [of the video] and I don't think we have any further comment."
In the video, Eaton said: "Life as a whole is suffering. You work for the duration, you get sick, people you love die, and your [sic] guaranteed to have ‘bad days’. You die and lose everything you spent your life obtaining. There is more to it than meets the eye. Life is a trial for what is to come.
"Just need to try to forgive me for the things I did. I have been dealing with trauma for a long time on things I don’t talk to people about."
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