WESTBROOK — A new guard at the Maine Correctional Facility shot and killed an emergency room nurse at his Westbrook residence and then turned the gun on himself, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

According to a news release from the Maine Department of Public Safety, Patrick Milliner, 30, of South Portland appears to have shot and killed 22-year-old Matthew Rairdon of Westbrook and then committed suicide. The shooting occurred inside Rairdon’s apartment on Main Street in Westbrook, according to police.

The shooting took place early Saturday morning, just after midnight, as Rairdon was returning home from work at Mercy Hospital where he worked as an emergency room nurse, according to the news release.

A roommate of Rairdon found the two bodies about 11 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the two men were former lovers whose relationship recently ended.

Milliner was attending the correctional guard training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. A 40-caliber Glock handgun was found near Milliner’s body.

Because of the men’s prior relationship, Rairdon’s death will be classified as a domestic violence homicide.

Autopsies will take place Sunday at the state medical examiner’s office in Augusta. Rairdon’s death was the state’s 23rd homicide of the year and the 10th homicide linked to domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.


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