Aug. 9—A 47-year-old Naples man has been charged in the fatal shooting of a woman in Portland last week.
Aaron Karp was taken into custody at the Portland police station Thursday evening when he surrendered after learning officers had a warrant for his arrest. He is being held without bail at the Cumberland County Jail, which lists his charge as homicide.
Police announced his arrest Friday morning and said no other details about the case are being released.
The department has released little information about the shooting since it was reported around 8:45 p.m. on July 30 near Morrill's Corner. Susan McHugh, 54, of Gray, died after being taken to Maine Medical Center and her death was later ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Her son, Travis Frechette, described her as hero and a strong woman, but declined Friday to discuss details of what happened that night.
In the days after the shooting, police would only confirm that McHugh had died and others were injured, but said they could not release more information because of the ongoing investigation.
They later said the other victims included a 45-year-old man from New Hampshire, who was released from the hospital the night of the shooting, a 48-year-old man from Yarmouth and a 51-year-old man from Gray, who have since been released from the hospital.
Several days after the shooting, Portland police and several state and local law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at a house in Gray. People in the area told NewsCenter Maine that an armored vehicle blocked the driveway during the search and a U-Haul later left the driveway with a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Portland police Chief Mark Dubois thanked his investigators in a statement Friday, saying "their tireless efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice are a testament to the hard work they do each and every day."
"I also want to acknowledge the frustration many have felt with a perceived lack of transparency when it comes to this case," Dubois said. "As I've mentioned before, our top priority in every case is to make sure the individuals responsible are brought to justice. At times, this includes not providing details to the public that some may seem benign, but in the reality of the case, are very much not benign. We appreciate everyone's understanding when it comes to this matter."
Police have not released any details about how the shooting unfolded or the connection between Karp and the victims. A court file for Karp was not immediately available Friday morning. A background check run through the Maine Bureau of Identification shows he has no criminal history in the state.
On his Facebook page, Karp describes himself as a tattoo artist at Almost Famous Tattoos & Piercings, which is next to the shooting scene, and has several pictures showing he is a member of the Outlaws motorcycle club.
Dubois said police have not made any other arrests in connection to the shooting, but the investigation remains "very active." Portland police are working with local, state and federal agencies. Investigators are urging anyone with information about the case to call them at 207-874-8575.
"This is just the beginning, as we will continue to work with the Office of the Maine Attorney General to build our case as we look for justice for Ms. McHugh," Dubois said.
'SHE WAS ALWAYS THERE'
Frechette, McHugh's son, said in a phone interview Friday morning that his mother was a hero that night and "did anything she could to keep her children safe."
Frechette declined talk more about the shooting, including whether his stepfather, Troy McHugh, was among the injured, but he said he wants people to know that his mother was a strong woman.
"We were always there for each other," Frechette said. "Whenever I was in hard times or I needed anything, she was always there. If she ever needed anything, I was there for her as well."
He said while Susan McHugh had her opinions, she was always open to learning about different viewpoints.
Frechette said his mother cared for her children and three grandchildren — Wednesday, Ophelia and Lorelei — and often invited them to her house to go swimming and make arts and crafts.
McHugh attended his daughter's hockey and baseball games every week, he said, and "really wanted to be a part of her life as much as she could."
As a disabled Army veteran, McHugh was limited in what she could do for work, so she started taking tickets and booking local hardcore shows for fun. She loved music and went to concerts with her family.
"It was just the whole family, three generations of people going out to these shows and having fun," Frechette said.
He remembered spending a day in Salem with his mom, dad and daughter to celebrate Halloween last year, putting pumpkins on their heads and taking pictures. McHugh was often first in line for spooky experiences, like Nightmare on the Ridge in Auburn.
Friends have also remembered her as a cherished member of Portland's restaurant and bar community. She became involved in the scene while her husband worked as a bouncer at Fore Play Sports Bar and other bars, friends said.
"There was not a bad bone in this woman's body," said friend Rochelle Albert. "She was just such an amazing woman. I never thought I would lose someone to a tragedy like this or in this way. It feels very tragic and it feels a little unfair."
Another friend, Nicole Barter, said McHugh had been proud to buy her first house, where she had a garden full of perennial plants and vegetables.
"What really sticks with me is how much she loved her family," Barter said. "She was all about family."
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