On what should have been a peaceful evening in Westbrook, Maine, the lives of a recently relocated family were irrevocably shattered. Michael Hayter, a 41-year-old Caucasian male, met a tragic and violent end on June 19, 2023. He and his partner, Brittney Cockrell, had moved from Texas to Maine with their two young children, aged 11 and 7, seeking a new beginning for their family, a move prompted by a new job opportunity for Hayter.
The family was in their vehicle in a parking lot near
the intersection of Main and Bridge Streets when the unthinkable occurred. Without any known connection or provocation, a man approached their car and opened fire. The brutal attack unfolded in front of the couple's two children, who were in the backseat of the car. Hayter was fatally shot and died at the scene, still inside the vehicle. Cockrell was also shot and killed.
In the immediate chaos following the gunshots, the alleged assailant attempted to flee. However, a group of courageous bystanders intervened, tackling and disarming the gunman before police arrived. This swift action prevented further harm and led to the immediate arrest of the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Marcel Lagrange Jr. of South Portland. Lagrange was subsequently charged with two counts of murder.
The investigation that followed revealed that Lagrange had an extensive criminal record. He was indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges, including two counts of murder. In the ensuing legal proceedings, Lagrange pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The devastating incident left the two children orphaned and the Westbrook community in a state of shock over the senseless violence that had claimed the lives of two parents new to their city.
