Read the latest updates to this story at bangordailynews.com/2012/10/23/news/hancock/police-shoot-man-suspected-of-killing-father-uncle-in-lamoine/
UPDATE 1:12 p.m.: Maine State Police reports in a press conference that three men are dead: Leon R. Tilden, 27, of Lamoine, his father, Robert, and uncle, Russell Pinkham.
LAMOINE, Maine — A local man wanted in connection with a fatal shooting early Tuesday ‘has been accounted for,’ according to a news release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Leon R. Tilden, 27, of Lamoine, was the subject of a seven-hour manhunt after two men were found fatally shot in the house of the suspect’s parents, according to police.
The shooting, which was first reported at about 3:30 a.m., is the second multiple homicide in this small Hancock County town in less than a year.
Schools in Lamoine and Ellsworth were on lockdown until shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. At that time, a LifeFlight helicopter and two ambulances were called to the scene of the shooting, and a Lamoine town official told the Bangor Daily News: “From what I understand, the public is safe now.”
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was the first agency to respond after a resident called 911 to report a shooting at 16 Bobolink Lane, off Mud Creek Road in Lamoine, according Lt. Chris Coleman of the Maine State Police.
When police arrived at the house, where Tilden had been staying, they found two males dead.
Stu Marckoon, administrative assistant to the board of selectmen in Lamoine and the assistant fire chief, told the BDN that the town office is closed Tuesday while Tilden’s family undergoes crisis counseling. Marckoon would not confirm which members of the family were undergoing counseling.
As area residents woke up Tuesday and started getting ready for work, sirens from police vehicles could be heard in the distance as various law enforcement agencies sent officers to assist in the manhunt. Both ends of Mud Creek Road were blocked off to everyone except for local residents as police continued to search for Tilden.
Many Ellsworth-area residents were wondering Tuesday morning how another fatal shooting could have happened in Lamoine, which has 1,600 residents, in less than a year.
“This is certainly an anomaly of the way of life in Lamoine,” Marckoon said.
In March, four men were shot in an early-morning confrontation outside of house on Route 184.
Lawrence “Randy” Sinclair, 32, of Ellsworth, died in that shooting. Torrey Garland, 34, and Joshua McKinney, 25, both of Ellsworth, suffered gunshot wounds but have since recovered.
Michael Carter, 30, who lived at the house where the shooting occurred, is being held without bail at Hancock County Jail on charges of murder, elevated aggravated assault, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm. Carter also was shot in the leg during the incident when Tacy Mullins, his girlfriend who lived with him at the home, tried to grab the gun away from him, police and witnesses have said. Carter also has recovered from his gunshot wound.
According to a police affidavit, the shooting in March was precipitated by a series of confrontational phone calls, primarily between Garland and Carter, over a paint job that Garland and McKinney recently had done on Carter’s truck.
At the Lamoine General Store, Assistant Manager Stacey Dannenberg said Tuesday morning that local residents have been rattled by the latest outbreak of violence in the small coastal town.
“It kind of makes you wonder what happened to the quietness here,” she said.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.
Follow BDN reporters Bill Trotter and Mario Moretto on Twitter at @billtrotter and at @riocarmine, respectively.
Mud Creek? Not Mud Hill…
Yes, Mud Creek.
Why “release little information” if there is a killer running loose ???????
perhaps they hope if anyone sees this guy they will report him to the authorities.
This is from the WNSX 97.7 Facebook page:
Lamoine Update
State police are searching for a 26-year old man who is believed to be
armed and dangerous and wanted in connection with a double killing in
Lamoine this morning. An all points bulletin was just issued for Leon
Tilden. The incident took place on Bob-o-Link Lane in Lamoine where
Tilden’s parents live. We have not been told who was killed overnight.
The state police tactical team is on scene and Mud Creek Road has been
closed down by police. The Major Crimes unit in also on scene, staging
away from the area until it can be secured. Mud Creek Road cuts between
Route 1 in Hancock and Route 3 in Trenton and is frequently used by
motorists commuting to the Jackson Lab. The Hancock County sheriff’s
department was called to the scene early this morning.
Before someone comments on this that I’m Captain Obvious, posting what’s in the article, I posted this back when the article was about 4-6 lines long, with not much information at all.
Condolences to the family.
Chances are slim….
That was my first thought as well… even more so after seeing him mug shot and the fact that there is obviously some criminal history there already.
A person can be arrested and have a mug shot taken without actually being guilty of criminal doings.
This is Sad another shooting involving young people in lamoine……why life is to short as it is why waste it..traggic for the famalies involved and lets hope nobody else gets shot like our law enforcement
Looks like Maine citizens are starting to get into the mode of being big city folks. Are we getting in to the business of the Gangsta. Or if the problem can not be solved by talking it over, pull out the ole trusty six shooter and eliminate problem all together. This is what happens when problems ( legal or illegal ) are solved with violence.
Actually we have a different type of murder up here. It seems you have to know the person first. Different than the “kill-em-for-their-sneakers” murders in Philly.
parents’
Are they sure Leon isn’t another victim, and laying dead somewhere? If he’s gone without a vehicle are we looking for more than one person? Are the bodies people related to Leon, or did they have some legitimate reason to be at the residence?
Pretty hazy information here.
Get a clue and wake up!
excuse me? Is there some secret message in your otherwise meaningless post?
No but wake up. Why are you defending this guy? Do you really think that he ran because he is innocent?
I’m not defending ANYONE. I think the facts in this story were sparse. Tr postingt without your angry face on.
Statistical study after statistical study has demonstrated that the death penalty has no discernible deterrent effect on the murder rate. The states with the 10 highest murder rates per capita in 2010 were Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Arizona, South Carolina, Nevada, Georgia and Alabama. All ten have the death penalty.
The states with the 10 lowest murder rates per capita were Utah, MAINE, Hawaii, Minnesota, North Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire. The majority of those states do not have the death penalty. Now, you may say “but those are all tiny states!” That is (largely) true. But, states like New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, with large urban populations and no death penalty, all fall below the average murder rate per capita.
Frankly, I think setting all statistics aside, that if you are dumb enough to murder someone that you are probably too stupid to think about the long term consequences of your actions.
Condolences to the family.
But it isn’t cheaper. Having a death row is expensive, as it necessarily has to be segregated from the general prison population. Death row inmates are entitled to a number of appeals that occupy time for both the courts and prosecutors. Very rarely are death row inmates not entitled to state provided defense counsel, so there are costs there, too. It isn’t cheap to build a death chamber or whatever you want to use to kill people (maybe we go Chinese style with mobile execution vans?).
We could also fix the prison overcrowding issue by focusing on drub rehabilitation and treatment instead of punitive sentences, but that’s a whole other discussion.
The death penalty will do nothing for overcrowded prisons. The number of cases where the death penalty applies is a negligible fraction of total incarcerations. And it costs a fortune in most states to get through all the appeals and legal hurdles that it takes to actually put someone to death.
Consequences? Life in prison is a serious consequence.
Yes and a taxpayer burden!
So you are saying that you would prefer to kill someone so that you can save money on your taxes?
Lord help us. I’ll pray for you.
Do some research on the subject before you spout off.
Perhaps “we, the people” should just have a death penalty for stupid people, YOU first!!
It’s true that the death penalty is not a deterrent. Think about it. The death penalty would only be a deterrent to those who are sane. Anyone who can murder another human being is not in their right mind.
AHH, there you have it, “not in their right mind”. You have NO IDEA how correct you are….
The death penalty does not deter crime.
The evil that men do happens regardless of the consequences.
The death penalty makes sure they don’t do it twice.
Life in prison makes sure they don’t do it twice.
Actually I do hope it is drug related and not random. It happening in the suspects parents home seems to indicate it wasn’t random robbery. Staying away from today’s drug culture does seem to increase ones life expectancy.
It doesn’t have to be drug related to not be random…
What is wrong with Lamoine??
There is not a thing wrong with Lamoine. It is still a very nice community. All it takes though are a few yahoos to put the town in a negative light.
It’s a sad state of affairs that small town America is becoming as dangerous as some big cities. The war on drugs and mayhem is not working. The judicial system needs to stop coddling these thugs and keep them locked up.
well, there are several things less wrong with lamoine lately, and likely another thing wrong with it will be solved when someone turns the guy in to the cops.
What is happening in this state?!! Every single day there is a story connected to violence of some kind. We live in such a sick society compared to 20 years ago. It’s so sad.
And 20 years ago was a sick society compared to 20 years prior.
This is true. I think we are hearing more of it now than we did then because we all know how much the Media likes a good story when they think they are the first ones who are reporting it.
Violent crime is actually down. You just read about more of it thanks to the interwebs.
I agree but I dont think there was so much “Pill Popping” as there is now and such a desperate need for money and or the drugs where some will do anything to get them. . Not saying this is the reason why this guy has done what he has done but it seems to be a popular sport for some.
They got him.. shots fired.
Where?
in Lamoine
i hope it was ‘alot’ of shots fired
I’m sure a lot of shots were fired by the Police since they love to overkill the mentally ill for sport.
another 20 something living at home!??? What the hell happened to growing up and being an adult and having your own life???
Not that your comment has any releavance or it could be any presidents fault, but your math is a bit off. He would’ve turned 18(and 21) during the Bush administration.
I hate it when reality gets in the way of political rhetoric.
Third guy in a fight gets a penalty in the NHL
It is a strange world we live in. We do not want to reduce access to guns but we want the death penalty for those who use guns to kill others. We don’t want abortion to be legal, but we restrict access to birth control to reduce unwanted pregnancies. We want to protect fertilized eggs so that they may develop into fetuses and children but we don’t want to support those children with social programs, daycare, food, clothing and habitation.
about as much sense as you usually make – in case you forgot —Bush put EVERYTHING you blame on Obama in motion.. A vote for Bush helped cause the mess. Four years ago we were on the verge of total collapse, losing 700,000 jobs, yes 700,000 jobs per month when Bush left his mess for Obama, stock market at 6500, Osama Bin Laden still plotting against America, our auto industry on the verge of collapse. NOW ship has been steadied, 30 straight months of job growth, 4.6 MILLION new jobs, stock market doubled to 13,400, auto industry recovered, and Osama Bin Laden and 30 other top Al Qaida leaders DEAD. even 5th grade history students know it took 15 years to recover from the Depression
Calm down, buddy. Don’t take the comments so personally. Not everything is about politics.
calm and I consider the source when I repsond
Predictable response to Troll Comment. Troll wins by eliciting response.
no, they win when their untruths aren’t repsonded to
Respond by flagging his comment as it violates the agreed upon rules: 1. Keep it brief and on topic. Then you won’t lose time typing a predictable response in the vein of the opposite extreme point of view, and I and others won’t lose time having to sort through tripe unrelated to the topic.
It’s what you call a win-win situation.
That’s why “you should always argue with a fool” – right?
According to the scanner, Life Flight has been dispatched to Mud Creek Road. No idea as to WHO was hurt, but someone was.
this is all about drugs
Condolences to the family.
You may get your wish in this one.
The death penalty will do nothing for overcrowded prisons. The number of cases where the death penalty applies is a negligible fraction of total incarcerations.
Shots fired and Life Flight has been called to Mud Creek Rd – press conference scheduled for 11 am at the Ranger Station on Rte. 1 – no word if it is to be televised.
Drugs, drugs and drugs.
Proof or assumption at this point?
Just read the papers or talk to any law enforcement or lawyer…..93-97% of all crimes have drugs or alcohol somehow involved.
Right Oh! I would only add that the blow up in entitlements has added fuel to the fire. We have seen this movie before… Take one look at the inner cities in this country. Big welfare/dependency roles = Crime=Drugs = a Sh*& hole place to live. Lewiston Auburn comes to mind. Sadly looks like Bangor is heading in the same direction! But we’ll go on pretending that everything is ok, that there are no serious problems out there – that we must not be judgmental and offer more out reach programs. I have a different take… significantly cut public assistance giveaways and start crackinnn some heads.
I don’t like the entitlement culture or drug culture and related violence any more than you do but this didn’t happen in Bangor and wasn’t about drugs or entitlements.
Agreed!
Things are goind downhill fast in that part of Maine…double and triple homicides, druggies, etc. I’m glad I live somewhere in Maine where the crime rate is low and people still smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol to pass the time of day.
Life Flight has left Lamoine with a 27 year-old male on board with multiple gun shot wounds (heard via a scanner)…
Not true at all!
What is not true at all?
Troll comment.
OK, had to look this up. I like that characterization. I think it has to have been around a while but I was not sure the meaning, now I do, good one. Will have to keep this in the ole beanie and stick it in once in a while, when need be, thanks.
I have to make a comment: What the eff is going on back there in Maine? The crime rate is unbelievable to someone who knew Maine years ago. I guess the prophesy that Maine would just become part of Taxachusetts seems to be realized.
Drugs & Alchohol
No Matter what the reason, this is atleast two families lives torn apart. I know the Tilden family, and my heart goes out to them. I grew up with the suspects dad & aunts, and grandparents. They are a very respected family in the Ellsworth Community. We can all make comments, but the fact remains, that bad things happen every day to good people, as well as bad. It can happen to us, or our neighbors, at any time… the important thing to remember is someone is suffering a huge loss of family members. Give them support.. they need it right now. My heart goes out to you all. I am so sorry for your loss.
The crime rate in Maine for major violent crimes is down significantly from the 1970s-1980s. Although there seems to have been a small increase in the past couple of years, the overall rates are still far less than in years ago. Recent reports blame the new increase on prescription drug abuse and bath salts. Google ” Maine Crime Rates 1960 – 2010″ to see the numbers.
Do these people run with the other outstanding citizens that were playing with guns in March???
groan, typical ignorance
Well, lets legalize pot, then we can really watch the murder rate spike. Some folks just don’t get it.
Why would the crime rate spike if pot were legalized?
What does this post (and it’s absent logic) have anything to do whatsoever with this story?
Pot makes you mellow and hungry.
Bath salts and Oxycontin (among others) make you psychotic, paranoid and delusional.
Which of these do you think would cause a person to become violent?
….opinion not fact….
I say let’s make the methadone, soboxin, and oxys illegal ….let everyone smoke pot and you’ll see far less violence.
What in the world does this have to do with this tragedy? How can anyone assume that this was over drugs? People are so quick to jump to conculsions! Pot doesn’t create monsters, opiates do.
you really dont have a clue do ya
I like the way you think. It gives me something to laugh about after I read something tragic in the paper. You must be one of the “folks”.
I live in Lamoine and yes this the second homicide crime in this town in less than a year. The crime happened less than a 3/4-1 mile from my house. Mud creek road is not that long of a road, its roughly 3-4 miles long. I think that he is not apprehended, cause it doesn’t take long to be on this road. But if he really is apprehended then I guess he’s apprehended. This doesn’t usually happen around here. I’ve lived in Lamoine for 8 years its very very quit, until this past year. Remember not to rely on police to protect you from home intrusion, cause the police are minutes away. By the time the police get there, it might to late.
2nd multiple homicide? Only one died in the first incident, but 3-others were wounded.
Maybe if someone had done the rightb thing years ago when he was getting abused by his father this could have been prevented. Granted nothing like this should have ever happened, BUT, being abused leads to a lot of problems as you get older. I know first hand. Some people can grow past it, and others cant. Some resort to drugs, some resort to the violence they knew growing up. In my opinion, people judge far too fast, and it is sad to see someone leave behind a young daughter that has to deal with this for the rest of her life, and all these degrading comments. I feel for the mother who has to go through these comments and see things written about her son, who maybe had a mental break after a rough childhood. And also losing her husband and son. His mother is the sweetest woman, and I just feel for the family as in a whole. He was too young and somewhere I feel as if this could have been prevented.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR SAYING WHAT NEEDED TO BE SAID.
This article doesn’t say anything about the son being abused. What do you base your comment on? And if this is true, the person to have “done the right thing when he was getting abused by his father”, would have been his mother.
The victims were loved by their families. The shooter was loved by that same family. My heart goes out to those who are let to grieve.
Hearing this again is really sad……the pain and stuff this family will now have to go thru, it seems so senseless….my sympathies to the surviving family, god be with you at this painful time…..
Noone knows what goes on behind closed doors, but to make these accusations without proof is so hurtful to the family… don’t you truly think they are ALL in enough pain now. I have known the entire Tilden Family for 50 years.. losing a family member under any circumstance is painful.. The mom lost her family forever.. the Victims families will never be the same. They not only lost the two victims, they have also lost their son, brother, grandson, nephew, et. The entire family needs a hug.. not some clueless people putting blame anywhere & everywhere. the tradgedy happened and putting blame anywhere isn’t going to ease the families pain.. Or change the outcome… the hurtful accusations however are going to deepen the already excisting pain..
My heart goes out to all 3 of the victims loved ones, and the poor officer doing his job..
If this state had a death penalty for ALL crime, there would be NO repete offenders, Period. But then how many people would want to live here????? You, sir, are one smart cooky….