AUGUSTA — Maine State Police have made an arrest in connection with five shootings, two of them fatal, in three northern Maine communities on Friday.

Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland released the following text, attributed to Maine State Police Lt. Sean Hashey:

“Law enforcement responded to a series of incidents that began late last evening and ended with the shooting of five people and the beating of another man.  Two men were shot and killed and two other men and a woman were shot and are being treated for their injuries.  The shootings took place in several towns to include Benedicta and Lee.

“The suspect is Anthony Lord, 35, from the Crystal and Sherman (areas).  He is described as 5’9”, 260 lbs, blond hair & blue eyes.  Lord is currently in police custody.

“Last night shortly after 8:30,  a call came in of a barn on fire beside a residence on the Aroostook Road in Benedicta.  The residence is the home of Brittany Irish and her parents.  The Fire Marshal’s office is currently in the process of evaluating that fire scene.

“Early this morning at about 4:40 a.m., a residence in Silver Ridge Township was broken into.  A male at this residence was tied up and assaulted.  Guns and a pickup truck were stolen from the residence. 

“Shortly after 4:50 am there were several windows and a door shot out of his residence in Benedicta.

“Approximately 25 minutes later a call was received from the residence where the barn was burnt on the Aroostook Road in Benedicta. Law enforcement responded  and a male and female were found shot inside the residence; the male was lifeflighted to the hospital where he died.  Lord was believed to have left the scene along with a 21-year-old female identified as Brittany Irish of Benedicta.  Lord is known to Irish. 

“At about the same time a report was received from a man that was driving by the fire scene.  He reported that he was turning around in the driveway when the side window of his vehicle had been shot out and he had been struck in the shoulder with a bullet.

“Police were looking for the suspect and stolen pickup truck when it was spotted by an East Millinocket police officer at about 5:50 this morning.  The truck fled when the officer tried to stop it and a high-speed pursuit ensued.  During the pursuit the suspect was firing shots from the truck at the officer. The officer was not injured.  The truck also struck several vehicles as it attempted to elude the officer.  The police continued to pursue but ended up losing sight of the vehicle on Route 157 in the Crystal area.

“Police were searching the area for the truck when they received a report about half an hour later of a shooting at a woodlot on Winn Road in Lee.  Two men were shot while working at the woodlot, one of the males has since died.

“A wood truck was reported stolen from that scene and was seen leaving the area.  Law enforcement officers from the State Police, Penobscot and Aroostook sheriff’s offices, Warden Service, Forestry Service as well as East Millinocket and Lincoln police departments, Border Patrol and other federal agencies assisted with the search and apprehension.

“A short time ago Anthony Lord and Brittany Irish were located in Houlton at a relative’s house and Lord was taken into custody without incident.  Lord is currently being interviewed by State Police detectives and will be transported to the Aroostook County Jail.  Lord will initially be charged with two counts of Murder, he will likely be charged with more crimes as the investigation is completed.  Lord will be making his initial court appearance at the beginning of next week.  Lord  has a criminal history and is on the Maine Registered Sex Offender list.

“Police have located the truck that was stolen from the wood lot in Lee.  It was found in Haynesville late this afternoon. 

“Law enforcement wants to recognize the amount of help that the public has given during this search.  We have received numerous tips and information that has been a significant help.  If the public has any further information please contact the Maine State Police in Bangor at 973-3700.

“There is still a significant amount of work to be completed in this case as the crime scenes are spread across a large geographic area.  A team of detectives and evidence technicians will be working over the next several days to bring this case together,” the statement concludes.

According to WABI TV5 at around 8 a.m., Penobscot County dispatch said the town of Lee was unreachable, as both Route 6 to South Road and Route 168 to North Road were closed due to the incident.

State Police today set up a command post at Lee Academy to coordinate the efforts.

McCausland released the following additional information Friday afternoon, including the names of those shot:

Kevin Tozier, 58, of Lee, who was shot at the woodlot in Winn has died; as has Kyle Hewitt, 22, of Caribou, who was shot at the Irish home in Benedicta. Hewitt was the boyfriend of kidnap victim Brittany Irish.

55 year old Kim Irish, 55, Brittany Irish’s mother, was wounded when shot at her home in Benedicta; Carlton Eddy of Benedicta, was wounded when shot while driving his pickup truck near the Irish home, and Clayton McCarthy, 54, of Mattawamkeag, was wounded when shot at the woodlot at Winn. The three are being treated for gunshot wounds and are expected to survive

In addition, Kary Mayo of Silver Ridge Township was assaulted inside his home, McCausland states in the release.

A team of State Police detectives and evidence technicians will work throughout the weekend at the several crime scenes. Tozier’s and Hewitt’s bodies will be transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta for autopsies, according to the release.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.