LEE — State police say a former convict shot five people, two of them fatally, during a rampage across several northern Maine towns before being captured.

They say a man was assaulted and guns were stolen before the shootings began early Friday in three different communities. Police also believe the suspect set fire to a barn Thursday night.

Investigators say 35-year-old Anthony Lord was arrested without incident Friday at a family member’s home in Houlton. They say Brittany Irish, 21, of Benendicta, who was with him, wasn’t harmed.

Lord will initially be charged with two counts of murder, he will likely be charged with more crimes as the investigation is completed, according to State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland.

Police say they are searching for a motive for the shootings that left 58-year-old Kevin Tozier and 22-year-old Kyle Hewitt dead. Two other men and a woman were injured.

The first incident began around 8:30 p.m. Friday, said McCausland, when a fire was started in a barn on Aroostook Road in Benedicta, at the home of Irish and her parents.

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At about 4:40 a.m. Friday, a residence in Silver Ridge Township was broken into, said McCausland, where a man was assaulted and tied up and guns and a pickup truck were stolen and about 10 minutes later several windows and a door were shot out.

At one point a high speed chase involving East Millinocket police and Lord took place until police lost sight of the truck Lord was driving.

Lord, who will be held at the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, is expected to make his initial court appearance early next week.

The public provided numerous tips and provided significant help in the search for Lord, said McCausland.

Law enforcement officers from the State Police, Penobscot Sheriff’s Office, Aroostook Sheriff’s Office, the Maine Warden Service, Forestry Service as well as the East Millinocket Police, the Lincoln Police Department, Border Patrol and other federal agencies assisted with the search and apprehension.

U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, issued a statement on the incident.

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“I am deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and the tragic loss of Kyle Hewitt and Kevin Tozier,” stated King. “Their family, friends, and loved ones, along with those who were injured in this reprehensible act, are in my thoughts and prayers. I extend my thanks to our emergency responders and law enforcement officials whose dedicated work led to the capture of the suspect.”

Lord has criminal history and is on the Maine Registered Sex Offender list.

Those with any information on the case are asked to contact the Maine State Police in Bangor at 973-3700.

—Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com. The Associate Press contributed to this report.



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