On a cold February morning in 2020, the small town of Machias, Maine, was shattered by a wave of violence that left three people dead and another seriously injured. Among the victims was Shawn Currey, a 57-year-old Caucasian male, who was found deceased inside his home on Kennebec Road. The events of that day unfolded across multiple locations, creating a complex and tragic crime scene for investigators to unravel.
The first distress call to 911 came from Currey's residence.
When police arrived, they discovered a harrowing scene. An adult female was found injured outside the home, while inside, they located Shawn Currey's body. He had been shot and killed. This was only the beginning of the grim discoveries. A short time later, another 911 call led police to a home in the nearby town of Jonesboro, where they found 33-year-old Samuel Powers, also deceased from a gunshot wound. The violence returned to Machias with a third 911 call, which directed law enforcement to another home on Kennebec Road. There, they found the third victim, 49-year-old Jennifer Bryant Flynn, who had also been fatally shot.
Within about a half-hour of the initial 911 call, law enforcement located a person of interest at the American Legion in Machias. This individual was identified as Thomas Bonfanti. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently arrested and charged with three counts of murder. Investigators determined that Bonfanti knew the victims, though a clear motive for the shootings was not immediately released to the public. Police assured the community that they believed Bonfanti acted alone and that there was no further danger.
In the aftermath of the tragic events, the surviving female victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The community was left to mourn the loss of three of its members. Thomas Bonfanti was later found guilty of the murders of Shawn Currey, Jennifer Bryant Flynn, and Samuel Powers, as well as the attempted murder of the fourth victim. He was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes, bringing a measure of justice to the families and the shaken community.
