A mass shooting in Maine on the night of October 25 resulted in 18 fatalities and 13 injuries, leading to an extensive statewide search for the unpredictable murderer.
Maine’s grieving community felt a profound sense of relief on Friday evening following the announcement of the discovery of the male suspect’s body.
The deceased suspect, identified as Robert Card, 40, was found near a river approximately 10 miles from the affected Lewiston area. The authorities confirmed that Card died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
His body was found in a trailer situated in a supplementary parking zone of the Maine Recycling Corporation in Lisbon. This was confirmed by Maine Public Safety Commissioner, Michael Sauschuck, during a media briefing on Saturday morning, October 28.
The violent incident took place at two distinct venues: Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant and Just-in-Time Recreation bowling alley, both located in Lewiston, Maine. The tragic event has profoundly shaken the local community, especially given that Maine had reported only 29 homicides throughout 2022.
The victims, whose identities were released on Friday, were aged between 14 to 76 years. Among those killed were a young boy bowling with his father, deaf competitors, and several fathers leaving young children behind.
One survivor of the massacre, mourning the loss of her cousin, shared her relief at the attacker’s death, emphasizing its significance in allowing the community to progress without fear of the assailant’s presence.
Tammy Asselin, who was separated from her daughter during the chaos at the bowling alley, conveyed the solace it brought to her child, knowing that the perpetrator was no longer at large and that her daughter need not fear his return.
Robert Card, with a military background as a petroleum supply specialist and an alleged firearms trainer, was associated with the Army Reserve in Saco, Maine. Recent information suggests that Card grappled with mental health challenges, including episodes of auditory hallucinations. He had been admitted to a mental health facility for two weeks earlier in the summer. There were also revelations that Card had previously made threats targeting the Maine National Guard base.
Subsequent to this distressing event, the Maine Emergency Management Agency broadened its shelter-in-place directive from Lewiston to include the neighboring town of Lisbon, advising residents to remain indoors and ensure their homes were secure. This directive was rescinded on Friday.
The culmination of the near two-day manhunt, which had unnerved the residents of this otherwise tranquil and picturesque area, was marked by the discovery of Card’s body. Many locals had been too fearful to venture outside.
Governor Janet Mills of Maine, echoing the sentiments of many, expressed her gratitude that the arduous search and the associated apprehension had come to a conclusion.
