PORTLAND, Maine — A judge denied bail for the man facing charges of killing a woman in Portland during an armed confrontation between two motorcycle groups back in July.
Lawyers for Aaron Karp, 47, of Naples, told a judge at a bail hearing on Sept. 20 that their client fired his weapon in self-defense. The lawyers claimed that the woman he allegedly shot and killed, Susan McHugh, also fired her weapon.
According to court paperwork, the judge said Karp and his group called "The Outlaws" went to the confrontation on Forest Ave. armed and initiated the fight. The judge also said there's a possibility that Karp's release before trial could escalate violence between the two motorcycle gangs and increase the risk to the public.
At 8:45 p.m. on July 30, Portland police responded to the area of Morrills Corner on Forest Ave. for a report of a shooting. Four people were injured and taken to Maine Medical Center, including McHugh. She later died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Portland police.
The other three people injured were treated at the hospital for their injuries and later released.
Karp was arrested and charged on Aug. 8. He faces one count of intentional or knowing murder in connection to McHugh's death. He is currently being held at the Cumberland County Jail.
During the bail hearing in September, Portland detective Jeffrey Tully took the stand and shared surveillance video footage from two different locations the night of the shooting.
Surveillance footage showed the altercation between members of the two motorcycle gangs, The Outlaws and Higher Calling appeared to begin at Brookside Food and Drink in Westbrook, according to Tully.
Thirty minutes later, security footage from a Meineke Car Care Center on Forest Ave. showed the same people.
"They all retreated, except his client who fell down, stood up, turned around, and fired nine rounds in the direction of Mrs. McHugh," a state prosecutor said.