After more than a week of investigating without an arrest, Portland Police announced on Friday that they have arrested a 47-year-old man from Naples in connection to the fatal July 30 shooting near Morrill’s Corner on Forest Avenue.
Police say a warrant was issued on Thursday for the arrest of Aaron Karp, 47, of Naples, for the charge of murdering 52-year-old Susan McHugh of Gray.
Karp surrendered after learning of the arrest warrant and was taken into custody at the Portland Police Station that evening, police say.
He is being held at the Cumberland County Jail with no bail.
According to Karp’s Facebook page, he is a tattoo artist at Almost Famous Tattoos & Piercing, which is on Forest Avenue in Portland near the site of the July 30 shooting.
Several photos on Karp’s Facebook page also appear to indicate that he is a member of the Maine chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, which is considered a criminal organization by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’d like to thank our investigators who worked so diligently on the case to enable us to make an arrest,” said Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois. “Their tireless efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice are a testament to the hard work they do each and every day.”
“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 added.
McHugh was one of four people injured in the July 30 shooting that were taken to the hospital.
She later died as a result of a gunshot wound, and her death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Three other people injured in the shooting, a 45-year-old adult male of New Hampshire, a 48-year-old adult male from Yarmouth and a 51-year-old adult male of Gray also taken to Maine Medical Center for treatment and have since been released, police said.
Portland Police said Friday that while no further details on the case are being released at this time, the investigation remains “very active.”
“I also want to acknowledge the frustration many have felt with a perceived lack of transparency when it comes to this case,” said Chief Dubois.
“As I’ve mentioned before, our top priority in every case is to make sure the individuals responsible are brought to justice,” Dubois said. “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,” he added. “I also want to thank all of the agencies that have assisted us at the scene that night as well as with the ensuing investigation.”
