Latest Updates on Maine Mass Shooting
LEWISTON, Maine—A horrifying incident unfolded in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night when a U.S. Army reservist went on a shooting rampage, claiming the lives of 18 innocent people at a bowling alley and a restaurant. The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Robert Card of Bowdoin, sent shockwaves through the community until he was found dead on Friday.
Who Is the Suspect and What Happened to Him?
Meet Robert Card, the man behind this devastating attack. Hailing from Bowdoin, Maine, Card was identified by the police as the perpetrator of this heinous crime. Governor Janet Mills revealed during a news conference that Card’s lifeless body was discovered in nearby Lisbon Falls.
Authorities located Card’s remains at a recycling facility where he had been employed. The search teams meticulously combed through the Maine Recycling Corp. property, eventually finding his body on Friday. It was a tragic end to a terrifying ordeal.
According to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck, the search for Card led law enforcement teams to the Maine Recycling Corp. property. However, it wasn’t until a state police team returned on Friday that they made the grim discovery. Card’s lifeless body was found in a trailer, along with several firearms that had not been previously searched.
Tragically, Card’s cause of death was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as confirmed by Mr. Sauschuck. The ATF special agent in charge in Boston, Jim Ferguson, revealed that the weapons used in the shooting had been legally purchased. While the exact number and details of the firearms were not disclosed, it was clear that there were more than three.
Card, an Army reservist, had raised concerns among military officials due to his erratic behavior. In mid-July, he was taken by police for an evaluation after exhibiting troubling signs during training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. Family members informed federal investigators that Card had recently been fixated on the bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, even mentioning hearing voices.
During a press conference, Mr. Sauschuck acknowledged Card’s history of mental illness but emphasized that the majority of individuals with mental health diagnoses pose no harm to others. The commissioner speculated that Card’s choice of targets was likely driven by paranoia, as he believed people were talking about him.
Where Did the Shooting Take Place?
The tragic events unfolded at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation, a bowling alley located approximately 4 miles away in Lewiston. Just-In-Time was hosting a children’s bowling league at the time, with parents and kids present.
Schemengees Bar and Grille, situated on the outskirts of downtown Lewiston, offers both traditional tenpin bowling and the New England variant known as candlepin. Lewiston, the second-largest city in Maine, has a population of around 37,000.
Maine has a strong gun ownership culture deeply rooted in hunting and sport shooting traditions. The state does not require permits for carrying firearms.
What is the Aftermath?
Following the release of surveillance pictures of the shooter, Card’s family promptly contacted investigators to provide his name to law enforcement. Commissioner Sauschuck expressed gratitude for the family’s cooperation, revealing that they were among the first to reach out.
During a news conference, Mr. Sauschuck solemnly announced the names of all 18 victims, confirming that their families had been notified. As he read out the names, photos of the victims were displayed on a board, and a moment of silence was observed.
The victims, ranging in age from 14 to 76, included a teenage bowler, a shipbuilder, and a sign language interpreter. The tragedy deeply impacted the community.
Amid the search for Card, authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for residents, and the Canada Border Services Agency alerted its officers along the Canada-U.S. border to be on the lookout for the suspect. The city of Portland, Maine’s largest city, closed public buildings, and some restaurants and bars in the area temporarily shut their doors, creating an eerie stillness in the typically bustling downtown.
In a show of solidarity, President Joe Biden ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until Monday’s sunset. Reflecting on the devastating incident, President Biden expressed his condolences to the people of Lewiston and the entire nation. He commended the law enforcement officers who tirelessly worked to apprehend the suspect, acknowledging their bravery and dedication.
What measures, if any, were taken by military officials to address Robert Card’s history of erratic behavior?
Lewiston, Maine, was also a target of the shooter. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, causing immense shock and sadness within the community. The shooting spree claimed the lives of 18 innocent people, leaving the entire town in mourning.
The suspect behind this devastating attack has been identified as 40-year-old Robert Card from Bowdoin, Maine. Card was a U.S. Army reservist, but he had a history of erratic behavior that had raised concerns among military officials. In July
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