Maine mass murderer Joseph Eaton, 32, is seen in court in bulletproof vest 

The parents of Maine gunman Joseph Eaton had recently flown to New England from their Florida home in an effort to help their son readjust to life following his release from prison on assault charges.

Eaton, 34, made his first court appearance on Thursday, two days after he shot and killed his parents, David and Cynthia Eaton, 66 and 62, as well as their friends they were staying with, Robert and Patricia Eger, 72 and 62. After his release, the suspect had also been a guest at the Eger’s.

In court, Eaton wore a traditional orange prison suit and body armor. He showed no emotion. Earlier, officials said he admitted to the murders. The criminal affidavit in the case says the discovery of the dead in the rural town of Bowdoin was made by Patricia Eger’s sister, who arrived at a crime scene with broken class, blood and guns scattered around the house.

The woman said she first noticed something was wrong when she saw blood on the stairs leading to the house and then saw the carnage and a body.

The affidavit stated that all bodies were covered and that the family’s dog had also been killed.

Earlier, investigators said Eaton admitted to killing his parents and their friends on Tuesday and shooting at a random car along Interstate 295.

Investigators who arrived on the scene discovered an unsigned note on an island in the kitchen stating that someone had been abused, nothing was being done about it and the writer wanted to be put out of pain.

In court, one of Eaton’s lawyers, James Mason, acknowledged after the hearing that the shooting shocked the state.

“What happened in Bowdoin is undeniably tragic. But I ask everyone to withhold judgment,” he said.

Eaton is charged with four counts of murder for the Bowdoin murders but has not yet been charged in the highway shootings, officials said.

About an hour after Patricia Eger’s sister found the horrific scene, police say Eaton began opening fire on cars along Interstate 295 because he thought police were following him.

In that shooting, bullets struck a family in one of the vehicles, injuring Sean Halsey, 51; Justin Halsey, 29; and Paige Halsey, 25, police said. Paige Halsey was seriously injured, police said.

Police say Eaton’s mother was released from jail on April 14 after serving a sentence for aggravated assault.

Investigators who arrived on the scene discovered an unsigned note on an island in the kitchen stating that someone had been abused, nothing was being done about it and the writer wanted to be put out of pain.

Eaton’s parents, David and Cynthia, pictured on her Facebook page in March 2021

Murdered couple Patricia ‘Patti’ Eger and Robert Eger pictured on her Facebook page in May 2020

In court, Eaton’s attorney James Mason said, “What happened in Bowdoin is undeniably tragic. But I ask everyone to keep judgment’

Bullet holes can be seen in the windshield of the silver sedan involved in the shooting

Joseph Eaton posted this photo on the day of his release from prison, accompanied by the caption: ‘Real food’

Eaton’s mugshot: He has a long criminal history in Maine, with charges such as assault and illegal possession of a firearm on this record

The day before the shooting, Eaton posted an anguished live video to social media that referenced trauma, including assault.

“Getting molested and stuff, you know, it destroys someone,” he said. He also criticized people who call themselves Christians but are unwilling to forgive.

In the video’s caption, Eaton references his mother, Cynthia.

According to his mother’s Facebook page, she and her husband lived in Ocala, Florida, just north of Orlando. Posts on her page indicate that she and her husband are passionate supporters of ex-President Donald Trump.

“Life as a whole is suffering. You work long hours, you get sick, people you love die, and you’re guaranteed to have “bad days.” You die and lose everything you have earned all your life.

There is more going on than meets the eye. Life is a trial for what is to come,” Eaton wrote in a Facebook post on April 16.

Eaton has been charged with more than half a dozen crimes over the past 10 years and was serving a sentence on April 14 for assault, according to state records.

Previous convictions included aggravated assault, a crime that would not legally make him possess a firearm.

Eaton has a criminal record in both Maine and Florida. His crimes include aggravated assault, domestic violence and assault against a law enforcement officer, the Portland Press Herald reports.

The accused was sentenced to three years in prison in the Sunshine State in 2018 for felony weapons and assault charges.

On Friday, Eaton wrote on Facebook: It’s finally over. There are so many people I can’t wait to see.’ A day later, he posted a photo of him having breakfast with the caption, “Real food!!!!”