Susan McHugh, a 54-year-old White female from Gray, Maine, was remembered by a friend as a passionate and loving woman who deeply cared for her family. Her life was cut short on the evening of July 30, 2024, during a violent confrontation in Portland that also left three other people injured. The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. in the parking lot of a mechanic shop on Forest Avenue near Morrill’s Corner.
The events that led to the shooting reportedly began earlier that day with a
dispute between rival motorcycle clubs at a bar in Westbrook. According to testimony, members of the FSU club, including Susan’s husband and son, argued with members of the Higher Calling club over wearing club colors. The argument escalated to a physical fight, and members of Higher Calling then called for support from a third club, The Outlaws. Later that night, a group of men associated with the Outlaws, armed with weapons including a baseball bat, a wrench, and small sledgehammers, confronted the FSU members in the Forest Avenue parking lot and attacked them.
During the assault, Susan McHugh fired a single shot from her husband's gun in defense, causing the attackers to turn and run. As they fled, one of the men, Aaron Karp, tripped. Police said surveillance footage showed him getting back up and firing nine rounds in McHugh’s direction. One bullet struck her in the chest. She was rushed to Maine Medical Center, where she died from the gunshot wound. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled her death a homicide.
The Portland Police Department’s investigation led to the arrest of Aaron Karp, a 47-year-old tattoo artist from Naples, on August 8, 2024, after he surrendered to authorities. He was initially charged with murder. In November 2024, police announced five additional arrests in connection with the assault. Kaleb Cidre, 22; Jason Keenan, 45; James Moody, 30; Caleb Pelkey, 33; and Nathan Walsh, 48, were all charged with elevated aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault. Authorities also identified a sixth suspect, 45-year-old Kristofer Haken, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
In April 2025, Aaron Karp pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter as part of a plea agreement that dropped the murder charge. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with all but five years suspended. The cases against the other men arrested are proceeding. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kristofer Haken is asked to call the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8575.
