On Monday evening, tragedy unfolded in Westbrook, Maine when two people were tragically killed in a parking lot in front of their children.
Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety, reported that Marcel Lagrange Jr., 24, of South Portland, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
According to state medical investigators, the victims – Brittney Cockrell, 36, of Westbrook, and Michael Hayter, 41, of Westbrook – were shot to death.
Westbrook police officers responded to the emergency call around 8:30 pm and, upon arriving, were alarmed to find an 11-year-old boy and 7-year-old girl had witnessed the incident. However, thanks to the brave bystanders who quickly stepped in, the unfortunate children were unharmed.
Before authorities arrived, one bystander – a 75-year-old man – was attacked by the assailant but several others jumped in to overpower and disarm Lagrange.
He is now held in a Cumberland County jail while investigators have not yet identified any prior connection between the suspect and victims.