Out On Bail, Man Returns To Murder Family

"DEXTER, ME — Police say 37-year-old Steven Lake shot and killed his estranged wife, 38-year-old Amy Lake, along with their two children, 12-year-old Monica Lake and 13-year-old Coty Lake and then shot and killed himself. Police say Lake had a protection from abuse order against him after he held the family hostage at gunpoint last year in Wellington. Lake was free on bail and had an upcoming trial.

"Investigators say a co-worker drove by Amy Lake's home around 8 a.m. and saw that Steven Lake's car was in the driveway. Dexter Police responded to the scene and the first officer to arrive heard gunshots from inside the house, according to Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland. The officer then called for back-up from several agencies, according to McCausland, who says that negotiators from State Police tried for more than two hours to contact Steven Lake through the phone and PA system.

"McCausland says Amy Lake was a teacher at Dexter Middle School - the same school her two kids attended. Coty Lake was to graduate from the eighth grade on Friday, according to McCausland.

"A tactical team entered the home around 2 p.m., McCausland said. Police say some of the victims had been shot multiple times. Their bodies were found in the living room. In their press release, police called the shooting a `despicable case of domestic violence`."

From WGME.com...