PORTLAND, Maine — "It was just so unexpected, just driving down to get some groceries from the local grocery store," Sean Halsey said, describing what happened to him, his son Justin, and daughter Paige, while they were traveling on Intestate 295 in Yarmouth just 10 days ago.
"We started hearing some pops, and we weren't sure what it was," Halsey said. "And then the back window exploded, and then I kind of heard more, what were obviously gunshots, and I knew that was, so I accelerated until I couldn't hear it anymore, pulled the car over and did whatever I could to help my kids."
Joseph Eaton, 34, reportedly shot at the vehicle the Halsey family was traveling in and multiple others that were on I-295 in Yarmouth on April 18, according to police. Eaton reportedly confessed to the highway shootings, police have said, and he has been charged with killing four people, including his parents, in Bowdoin.
Standing outside Maine Medical Center around noon Friday, Halsey provided updates on how he and his family are doing, 10 days after all three were injured in the shooting.
"Her spirits are really good," Halsey said of his daughter, Paige. "She's been amazing. She's fought super hard."
Halsey said Paige was shot in the back and side and suffered internal damage. He said his daughter is showing signs of improvement, but it will still be a long road to recovery.
"They removed her final chest tube today, and if that lung continues to behave itself, she should be able to stay off of that and being coming home soon as well," Halsey said.
He also said his son, Justin, was shot in the back and has since been discharged from the hospital. He will be receiving outpatient care at home.
"Deep, deep thanks to all the responders that were on scene. [They] helped everyone out, and the excellent staff here at Maine Medical who basically saved my kids' lives," Halsey said.
Halsey suffered a broken finger in the shooting. He said he later learned of the four people found dead at a home not far from his own in Bowdoin, for which Eaton has been charged with four counts of murder.
"What he did before shooting on the highway is like 2.5, 3 miles from our house. And we're there, and he's there at the same time. It's just a coincidence that nobody can explain," Halsey said.
Halsey said his father also died this week. He looks forward to having both his children home with him again soon to process the challenging few weeks.
"As a dad you're angry, you're excited that they're doing better. And then we're sad about our father, and it's just such a range of differing emotions. We're happy that we're doing well, but again five minutes down the way we're sad about our father and their grandfather. It's a lot, and we're just doing the best we can to get through," Halsey said.
A GoFundMe has been setup to help support the Halsey family with medical expenses.