ALFRED — James Earl Pak walked into his tenants’ apartment Saturday night, following a disagreement about late rent and parking, and told them he was going to shoot them, an affidavit filed by police alleged.

And then, according to the affidavit filed by Maine State Police Detective Corey Pike, he did, first shooting tenant Susan Johnson twice, in the arm and in the back, and then firing at her 19-year-old son, Derrick Thompson. Then, Pak allegedly fired again, this time at Thompson’s girlfriend, Alivia Welch.

Thompson and Welch were pronounced dead at the scene; Johnson and her 6-year-old son, who was hiding in a bedroom at his mother’s behest, were rescued by Biddeford Police. The younger boy was not harmed.

Johnson and her family were tenants of Pak’s at 17 Sokokis Road home, off Pool Road in Biddeford. Pak and his wife Armit lived in the front portion of the home, his tenants lived in an attached apartment.

Pak, 74, charged with two counts of intentional or knowing murder, made a brief first appearance before Justice Paul Fritzsche at York County Superior Court Monday afternoon. Joel Vincent was appointed Pak’s attorney, pending a determination of his eligibility for court-appointed counsel.

Fritzsche ordered Pak held without bail at York County Jail, pending an as-yet unscheduled bail hearing. His next court appearance was set for March 22, but that could change following indictment by a York County grand jury, Fritzsche said.

Several family members of Thompson and Welch were in the courtroom. A victim’s advocate following the hearing said the family had told her they did not want to speak to the news media at that time.

Armit Pak, James Pak’s wife, along with two supporters also attended the court hearing and then conferred with Vincent, the defense attorney.

Biddeford Police had gone to the Pak residence at 17 Sokokis Road around 6 p.m. Saturday, after Thompson called to complain that his landlord was yelling at him and threatening him. Thompson allegedly told officer Ed Dexter that Pak “got in his face,” according to the affidavit, and told Thompson to hit him, and then allegedly claimed he was going to shoot them. Johnson videotaped the confrontation with her cell phone. Thompson told Biddeford Police he didn’t feel threatened. Police left after spending about 40 minutes with the parties.

Three minutes later, Susan Johnson called 911 to say she’d been shot and that there were two other victims.

Johnson told police she tried to hide behind the Christmas tree and got down on the floor, pretending she was dead, when she heard the other gunshots.

Biddeford Police officers Dexter and Scott Evans, with cover provided by officer Jacob Wolterbeek, rescued Johnson and her 6-year-old son from the apartment.

Pak emerged from his home about 10 p.m. after intensive negotiation. According to Police Chief Roger Beaupre, police used a stun gun to subdue Pak as he emerged from the home because he allegedly told them he was coming out with his gun, even though they told him to leave it behind.

An intoxilyzer test was administered to Pak at 12:20 a.m., according to the affidavit. Pak’s blood alcohol allegedly registered .15.

Look for more on this story in Wednesday’s Journal Tribune.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.