Washington County Man Sentenced to Life for 3 Murders in 2020

A Northfield man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murders of 3 Washington County residents and the attempted murder of another.

Who Were the Victims?

Thomas Bonfanti was in court on Friday, August 26th, and received three consecutive life sentences for the murders of three people:

• Shawn Currey, 57
• Samuel Powers, 33
• Jennifer Bryant-Flynn, 49

He is also sentenced to another 30 years for elevated aggravated assault for shooting and injuring Regina Long, 49. He was found guilty of 3 counts of murder, one count of aggravated attempted murder, and one count of aggravated assault in June.

How Did the Murders Happen?

It was in February of 2020 when Bonfanti drove to each victim's home and shot them in the head at close range. Long was shot in the home she shared with Currey and survived the attack but played dead so Bonfanti would leave. She called the police when he was gone. All the victims lived in Machias except Powers, who lived in Jonesboro. Officials say Bonfanti knew all the victims prior to the day of the shootings.

Three days earlier, Thomas Bonfanti had been stopped for drunk driving after police received reports of an erratic driver. Friends would later say that it was the first drink he'd had in 6 months. The officer thought he was a harmless old man who'd just had too much to drink and so he was allowed to make bail after being booked for OUI. When police caught up to him at the American Legion Hall in Machias on the day of the shootings, he was once again intoxicated.

Was Any Motive Ever Given for the Murders?

Bonfanti gave police several reasons for the murders, including a claim when he made his own opening statement that his gun went off by accident or that it was self-defense. The BDN reports Long claims it was because he was infatuated with a younger man who rejected him and moved away. She says Bonfanti vowed to retaliate against everyone who was close to the younger man.

Whatever the reasons behind the attacks, Bonfanti is going to prison for the rest of his life.